DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
TEACHING LAB EXPERIMENT RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
This form must be completed jointly by the Lab Officer in charge and the Lecturer in charge. A
hardcopy of the completed form should be kept in a file together with the Project Risk
Assessment.
Name of Lecturer in Charge
Name of Lab Officer in Charge
Module / Expt No.
Teo Ai Hwee
CM 1191 / Expt 4
Activity being assessed:
Isolation of chlorophyll & beta carotene from plant leaves.
Known or expected hazards associated with the activity:
Hazards of reagents, solvents and known reaction products.
State each substance and the approximate amounts to be used/produced.
Dichloromethane (20 mL): Can cause adverse reproductive and fatal effects in animals.
Potential cancer hazard. Causes eye and skin irritation. Causes respiratory tract irritation.
Harmful if swallowed. May be harmful if inhaled. May cause central nervous system effects.
Dichloromethane is metabolically converted to carbon monoxide after systemic absorption,
which yields increased concentrations of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood. May cause kidney
damage.
Ethanol (15 mL): Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of
inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator), of ingestion.
Ethyl acetate (2.5 mL): Hazardous in case of ingestion, of inhalation. Slightly hazardous in
case of skin contact (irritant, permeator), of eye contact (irritant).
Hexane (50 mL): Hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator), of ingestion, of inhalation.
Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant).
Silica gel (10 g): Irritating to the respiratory tract and may cause irritation of the digestive tract,
and dust from the beads may cause irritation to the skin and eyes. Avoid breathing in the fine
powder.
Iodine: Very hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of
inhalation. Hazardous in case of skin contact (corrosive), of eye contact (corrosive). Eye contact
can result in corneal damage or blindness. Skin contact can produce inflammation and
blistering. Inhalation of dust will produce irritation to gastro-intestinal or respiratory tract,
characterized by burning, sneezing and coughing. Inflammation of the eye is characterized by
redness, watering, and itching. Skin inflammation is characterized by itching, scaling, reddening,
or, occasionally, blistering.
UV lamp (as the illuminator for TLC plates): Skin injury and eye injury upon long exposure.
Dichloromethane, ethanol, ethyl acetate and hexane require handling in the fume hood.
Silica gel should be covered to avoid inhalation of the fine powder when in dry form. UV lamp
should be used with care—avoid long exposure to skin and eyes.
Incompatible materials (special precautions):
Dichloromethane: Avoid strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, chemically active metals.
Ethanol: Avoid oxidizing agents, acids, alkalis.
Ethyl acetate: Avoid oxidizing agents, acids, alkalis
Hexane: Avoid oxidizing agents.
Silica gel: Avoid moistures.
Iodine: Avoid oxidizing agents, reducing agents, metals.
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The risk of injury and its severity likely to arise from these hazards:
Spillage of chemicals on skin may cause irritation. Accidental breakage of flasks containing the
reagents may cause cuts to skin. Long exposure to UV light may cause skin or eye damage.
Who is at risk?
Students and staff handling the chemicals as well as those in the vicinity.
Measure to be taken to reduce the level of risk:
Wear proper PPEs. Handle dichloromethane, ethanol, ethyl acetate, hexane and iodine in
the fume hood. Handle silica gel in the fume hood when in the dry form, or cover the containers
during transport. Avoid skin contact with iodine. Avoid long exposure to UV light.
Training prerequisites:
Undergraduate Safety Note
Level of risk remaining:
Low.
Emergency action if :
Spill
For solid spills, use appropriate tools to put the spilled solid in a convenient waste disposal
container. For liquid spills, absorb spill with inert material, then place in suitable container. Avoid
runoff into sewers which lead to waterways. Clean up spills immediately. Remove all sources of
ignition. Provide ventilation.
Skin contact
Immediately flush skin with plenty of water while removing contaminated clothing and shoes.
Wash clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse.
Is the experiment suitable for out-of-hours operation?
References if any:
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9948&code=SLM2677
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9923955
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927165
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927187
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9924905
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927547
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Yes
No
Signature of Lab Officer in Charge:………………………………………………………………..
Date:…………………………
Signature of Lecturer in Charge:………… ……………………………………..
Date:… ……………………..
Prepared Risks Assessments for standard equipment and operation are with the kind
permission of Dr. Ken MacNeil, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol.
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Activity being assessed:
Note any activity to be used which entail risk (e.g. use of glass vacuum apparatus, high
pressures, high voltage, radiation, high temperatures). Give reference to any special protocols
to be followed, and if appropriate attach copies to the risk assessment form. State any
additional precautions taken to minimise risk.
Known or expected hazards associated with the activity:
FOR EACH CHEMICAL, read the MSDS and note:a) Particular hazards (e.g. highly toxic, carcinogenic, corrosive, flammable, pyrophoric,
explosive, volatile, dust hazard). Note any dangerous combinations of properties (e.g. volatile
and toxic).
b) Requirements for safe handling (e.g. fume cupboard, inert atmosphere, low temperature).
c) How to dispose of residuals
 Dispose to drain, with water dilution
 Neutralise, then to drain with suitable dilution
 To flammable liquid waste receptacle
 To non-flammable liquid waste receptacle
 Keep for recovery/recycling
 Keep for special disposal later (e.g. heavy metals)
 Double bag and dispose to dry waste
 Special procedure (specify)
Incompatible materials (special precautions)
Note any dangerously incompatible materials and hazards arising from contact of any reagents
and substances used with common materials such as paper, benches, hoses, etc.
Measures to be taken to reduce the level of risk
Include hazards of previously unknown products.
Location of work – laboratory, open bench, fume cupboard
Level of risk remaining:
Likelihood and consequences of any accident or unforeseen events whilst carrying out the
activity. When this has been done, choose the appropriate procedure:a) Close supervision and/or attendance of trained first-aider needed.
b) Specific approval of supervisor needed.
c) Training is needed prior-to or during the operations specified.
d) Training is complete and only general laboratory competence required.
e) No risk perceived.
Emergency action:
a) Any special requirements to deal with accidental spillage or leakage.
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b) What to do in the event of accidental exposure (skin contact, inhalation, etc.).
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