Department of Chemistry and Department of Biology and Biochemistry:
Risk Assessment of: Work in the Temperature
Controlled Rooms at the University of Bath.
Assessor(s):
Anyone working in the
Temperature Controlled Rooms
Work Authorised by:
Date:
Updated in May 2015
Overview of activity / location / equipment /
conditions being assessed:
Working in the Temperature Controlled Room at the University of Bath. Preventing the transfer of GM
plants or recombinant DNA from transgenic organisms (such as via pollen or seed) inside the
temperature controlled rooms to outside.
Hazard
Who could be
harmed?
How could they be
harmed?
Control measures needed to minimise risk
Loss of containment
Environment
Environment could be
harmed by the transfer
of GM plants or
recombinant DNA (via
seeds or pollen)
GM Limited access: Access to the GM temperature controlled rooms housing transgenic
research materials is restricted to personnel who have received GM training and been
registered with the GM Committee.
Sticky mats: A sticky mat (TakMat) is placed inside the outer doorway of the temperature
controlled room deigned to trap any material such as pollen, seeds, etc adhering to foot-ware.
The topmost layer of the mat needs regular removal and disposal as contaminated waste.
Protective clothing: Within the temperature controlled rooms are designated lab coats. These
must be worn at all times by staff in the facility. These should be taken off and left in the
vestibule before leaving the facility. This will minimize the chance of spread of GM material.
Labelling: All GM plant material is labelled. Where known, end dates are recorded on plant
trays and also on the external doors of the temperature controlled rooms.
Cleanliness: All areas of the temperature controlled rooms should be cleaned regularly and
maintained in a tidy condition. Hygiene facilities such as a washbasin are available and must be
made use of by users of the facility. All re-usable materials such as pots, trays etc. should be
disinfected by a validated method after each use. When seed collection is taking place,
increased hovering should take place. Hoover bags should be regularly changed and autoclaved
before disposal. Deep cleaning should take place at the end of experimental work.
Collection and treatment of drainage water: All liquid effluent is collected and disinfected in a
sump prior to discharge to the drains.
Secure transport of plants and materials between Temperature Controlled Rooms, GM
Glasshouse and Laboratory areas: Plants and materials containing transgenes should be
transported in double sealed containers with lids that minimize the risk of escape.
Waste materials: All waste plant material, growth media, floor sweepings, TakMat layers and
disposable materials should be segregated into clearly marked bags and treated by a validated
means before disposal to kill any residual organisms and destroy any rDNA. Where possible,
autoclaving should be used.
Minimizing the amount of pollen and seed: Pollen and seed represent the most significant risk
to the environment from transgenic plants. Minimize this risk by preventing flowering or seed
set where possible; otherwise keep the number of flowers or seed pods to the minimum
consistent with the demands of the experiment.
Seed storage: Seeds should be securely stored in laboratories, temperature controlled rooms or
in the GM glasshouse vestibule fridge.
Residual risk rating: (3) Moderate x (2) Unlikely = (6) LOW
Untrained staff in facility
Environment
Environment could be
harmed by the transfer
of GM plants or
recombinant DNA (via
seeds or pollen)
Providing information, training and supervision: Before entering temperature controlled
rooms, all staff working around transgenic organisms should be fully informed about the
containment measures applicable to a given research project. Prescribed procedures and
practices should be appropriate for the assigned containment level.
Relevant GM project risk assessments: The relevant GM project RA must be read and signed
by anyone working on GM projects.
Appropriate supervision of workers must be provided.
Induction material: No staff are allowed to start work until they have been given an induction.
The induction includes instruction to all staff to register all GMO work with the GM committee,
that they cannot use the temperature controlled facilities without receiving training first and
that all work must be Risk Assessed. Staff are regularly sent out an induction summary to
remind them of the induction details and to send any new staff to the Technical Team.
Disposal: Re-usable pots must be disinfected by immersing in a solution of bleach (1,000ppm
available chlorine) for at least 8 hours (usually overnight). Note: 1,000ppm Cl solution can be
made by diluting commercial bleach [nominal 5% Cl] by a factor of 1 in 50.
All plant material, compost, floor sweepings, TakMat layers and disposable plastic ware, such as
pots, should be placed in the autoclave bags provided in the blue skips. N These bags (and
skips) will be removed periodically for sterilization by autoclaving (minimum of 126oC for 30
minutes). The floor (including under the floor drain covers) should be cleaned with a vacuum
cleaner every week. Material from the vacuum cleaner bag must be disposed of in the
autoclave bag.
Residual risk rating: (3) Moderate x (2) Unlikely = (6) LOW
Unauthorised access to
facility
Environment
Environment could be
harmed by the transfer
of GM plants or
recombinant DNA (via
seeds or pollen)




Signs are on door inducting that access is restricted.
Access to temperature controlled rooms housing transgenic research materials is restricted.
Only personnel approved by the GMSC should enter the Temperature Controlled Rooms. A
list of approved personnel is available from the GMSC.
Visitors should be accompanied by an approved person who should explain the operation of
the facility.
The inner door should be closed when workers are in the temperature controlled rooms.
Residual risk rating: (3) Moderate x (2) Unlikely = (6) LOW
GM plants/ plant material
on Temperature
Controlled Room users
Temperature
controlled room
users
Consumption by
humans/ contact with
humans.
Slips and Trips
Temperature
controlled room
users
Slipping on floors/
tripping on hazards
Chemicals
Temperature
controlled room
users
Hazardous chemicals
affecting human health
All work must be risk assessed and the nature of the plant species being used will be detailed in
this. All users must read, understand and sign a Risk Assessment for their work before starting.
Any risks to human health will be noted in this Risk Assessment and the methods put in place to
reduce risk will be noted and followed.
 Floors are regularly cleaned with algal-biocide to prevent them becoming slippery.
 Good house-keeping means that clutter is removed.
 A glasshouse technician is employed to ensure best practice. They provide training on the
use of temperature controlled rooms.
 All hazardous chemicals to be stored in a chemicals cabinet.
 Instructions on cleaning products containing chemicals should be followed.
Electrical
Temperature
controlled room
users
Electrical shock
Biological
Temperature
controlled room
users
Temperature
controlled room
users
Temperature
controlled room
users
Possible infection.
Manual Handling
Environment
Injury to temperature
controlled users.
Temperature in hot
weather may cause
discomfort to users.



All temperature controlled room electrical equipment should be PAT tested.
Care should be taken to keep electrical items away from any water sources.
Do a visual inspection before use – if any damage or defects are seen – do not use until
rectified.
Ensure good housekeeping and good hygiene to decrease the risk of microorganisms on the
skin. No eating or drinking is allowed in any of the temperature controlled rooms. Handwashing facilities are available.
The University Manual Handling guidelines should be followed.
Users should make sure to take regular breaks outside in the fresh air and keep hydrated.
Risk Assessment Guidance
The assessor can assign values for the hazard severity (a) and likelihood of occurrence (b)
(taking into account the frequency and duration of exposure) on a scale of 1 to 5,
then multiply them together to give the rating band:
Hazard Severity
(a)
Likelihood of Occurrence
(b)
1 – Remote
2 – Unlikely
3 – Possible
4 – Likely
5 – Very likely
(almost never)
(occurs rarely)
(could occur, but uncommon)
(recurrent but not frequent)
(occurs frequently)
The risk rating (high, medium or low) indicates the level of
response required to be taken when designing the action plan.
Fatal
Serious
Moderate
(eg discomfort, slight bruising, self-help recovery)
(eg small cut, abrasion, basic first aid need)
(eg strain, sprain, incapacitation > 3 days)
(eg fracture, hospitalisation >24 hrs, incapacitation >4 weeks)
(single or multiple)
Minor
Trivial
1 – Trivial
2 – Minor
3 – Moderate
4 – Serious
5 – Fatal
Rating Bands (a x b)
Remote
1
2
3
4
5
2
4
6
8
10
3
6
9
12
15
Likely
4
8
12
16
20
Very likely
5
10
15
20
25
Unlikely
Possible
LOW RISK
(1 – 8)
MEDIUM RISK
(9 - 12)
HIGH RISK
(15 - 25)
Continue, but
review periodically
to ensure controls
remain effective
Continue, but
implement
additional
reasonably
practicable controls
where possible and
monitor regularly
-STOP THE
ACTIVITYIdentify new
controls. Activity
must not proceed
until risks are
reduced to a low
or medium level