ohsrm PART B
School of Molecular Bioscience
Hazardous procedure: Protein purification
Step 3. Assess the risk
Ref. #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Description of the hazard or hazardous job
Priority
Solvents (eg. butanol, methanol) used to precipitate proteins may
be flammable - cause fire if exposed to ignition source
Solvents (eg. methanol) used for protein precipitation or
chromatography may be toxic
Some reagents used to stabilise proteins (eg. protease inhibitors
like PMSF) are highly toxic
Some reagents used to stabilise proteins (eg. dithiothreitol and
mercaptoethanol) have a powerful stench; these are irritants or
toxins if inhaled
High-pressure chromatography systems contain liquids under
pressure, which can cause eye injury if they escape
Electrical equipment used for high-pressure liquid
chromatography may cause electrocution if faulty or used
incorrectly
Proteins and the DNA constructs / cells used to make them may
be biohazards, either due to their toxicity, potential for infection, or
their recombinant DNA nature
Related risks include French Press for cell lysis, Sonication,
centrifugation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, flammable
solvents, toxic chemicals, HPLC, disposing of chemical wastes,
risk group 2 microorganisms, human tissues, animal tissues (see
separate risk assessments for these)
3
3
3
4
5
5
6
N/A
What makes it hazardous? Consult with the workers to find out which factors are relevant:
X The nature of the hazard itself
X The individual(s) involved
Toxic or flammable reagents, electrical equipment, liquids under
pressure, biohazards
Need proper training before starting work
Record the names of those consulted when assessing the risk
Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Nick Coleman, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Robert Czolij, Craig Jackson
Date
18/8/2010
Step 4. Control the risk(s)
Describe the risk control(s)
Wear personal protective equipment (lab coat and enclosed shoes
always, safety glasses and gloves where dealing with toxic
compounds, solvents, corrosives, safety glasses also where high
pressure liquids pose risk of eye injury)
Work in designated OGTR PC2 areas and obey PC2 rules if dealing
with recombinant or otherwise dangerous proteins / DNAs / cells.
Download and read the MSDS of all the reagents you use, to
familiarize yourself with the hazards they pose. Keep the MSDS in the
lab in a known location so it can be found easily.
Ensure equipment eg. HPLC is kept in good working order via routine
maintenance as part of service contract or via SMB workshop for items
out of warranty.
Beware of electrical hazards with machines such as HPLC – get
machine serviced immediately if there is any suspicion of electrical
malfunction.
Dispose of waste solvents appropriately (to room 225, not down the
sink). Consult waste disposal officer if in doubt.
Who is responsible
for implementation
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
Due by
date
Don’t use flammable solvents near ignition sources, especially naked
flames. It is recommended that a 3 m gap exists between solvent
use/storage areas and possible ignition sources (these include fridges
and freezers and other machines with exposed electricals)
Use reagents that make flammable or very smelly vapours (eg.
mercaptoethanol) in the fume hood.
Know the risks of all machinery you use. eg. the equipment used for
cell lysis (sonicator, French press) is potentially hazardous – obtain
and read the risk assessments for these pieces of equipment or do the
risk assessments yourself.
Proper training of researcher
Development of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Reading and following the SOP
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
Supervisor of
researcher
SMB Safety
Committee
Individual user and
their supervisor
Record the names of those consulted when deciding on risk control measures
Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Nick Coleman, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Robert Czolij, Craig Jackson
PART B completed by: Nick Coleman
Date:
18/8/2010