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 2
Activity being assessed:
Hydrolysis of ethyl acetate over a solid acid catalyst.
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.
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).
Amberlyst 15 Dry catalyst (0.5 g): May cause skin and eye irritation.
Sodium hydroxide 0.02 M aqueous solution (250 mL): Hazardous in case of skin contact
(corrosive, irritant, permeator), of eye contact (irritant, corrosive), of ingestion.
Phenolphthalein 1% solution in ethanol (1 mL): Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of
eye contact (irritant), of ingestion. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact.
Ethyl acetate requires handling in the fume hood and disposal to flammable liquid waste
receptacle (for large amount). Amberlyst 15 Dry catalyst requires recovery and disposal to dry
waste. For the rest of the chemicals, no special requirement for handling in the fume hood and
are safe to dispose to drain with water dilution.
Incompatible materials (special precautions):
Ethyl acetate: Avoid oxidizing agents, acids, alkalis.
Sodium hydroxide 0.02 M aqueous solution: avoid oxidizing agents, reducing agents, metals,
acids, alkalis.
Phenolphthalein 1% solution in ethanol: avoid oxidizing agents, acids, alkalis.
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.
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 ethyl acetate in the fume hood. Handle reagents with care.
Training prerequisites:
Undergraduate Safety Note
Level of risk remaining:
Low.
Emergency action if :
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Spill
Ethyl acetate, Sodium hydroxide 0.02 M aqueous solution and Phenolphthalein 1%
solution in ethanol: Dilute with water and mop up, or absorb with an inert dry material and
place in an appropriate waste disposal container.
Amberlyst 15 Dry catalyst: Use appropriate tools to put the spilled solid in a convenient waste
disposal container.
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
Yes
No
References if any:
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927165
http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/MSDS/MSDS/PleaseWaitMSDSPage.do?language=&country=SG
&brand=SIAL&productNumber=216380&PageToGoToURL=http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalo
g/product/SIAL/216380?lang=en&region=SG
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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