Faculty/Division: Science
Document number Initial Issue date Current version 1
Risk Assessment name Using waterbaths
Form completed by Anne-Laure Markovina
School/Unit: School of Biological Sciences
Current Version
Issue date 15/08/2013
Signature
Next review date 15/08/2016
Date
Responsible supervisor/ authorising officer Michael Joseph Signature Date
Identify the activity and the location of the activity Identify who may be at risk from the activity :
Description of activity
Waterbaths are used in teaching labs for incubating bacterial cultures; keeping agar and agarose solutions liquid and incubating enzyme solutions
This may include fellow workers, visitors, contractors and the public. The types of people may affect the risk controls needed and the location may affect the number of people at risk
Description of location
Waterbaths are used in teaching labs in Old Geology (A11; rooms 204 &
205a), Macleay (A12; rooms 204 & 207) and Carslaw (F07; rooms 301; 302,
307; 308) buildings
Persons at risk
How they were consulted on the risk
Undergraduate and postgraduate students, research and staff
Technical staff is responsible for assessing risk and updating risk assessments before a task is undertaken.
Technical staff advises supervising and academic staff of potential risk before practical class. Academics in charge inform demonstrators and students about the risks. Up to date risk assessments are posted on the
School’s website and are displayed in the class on the day of the practical
List legislation, standards, codes of practice , manufacturer’s guidance etc used to determine control measures necessary
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
Laboratory Safety Guidelines http://sydney.edu.au/whs/guidelines/others/laboratory_safety.shtml
Technical instruction in Laboratory Manuals and BlackBoard on-line system – updated annually
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Consider the hierarchy of hazard control and record what controls will be used in the short term and longer term
Elimination Not possible Eliminate the hazard or task if the risk outweighs the potential benefits.
Substitution Possible Substitute the hazard with something less hazardous e.g. Use drying ovens instead of waterbaths
Isolation Possible Isolate the hazard by using barriers or distance e.g. Place waterbaths out of the way of main student traffic
Engineering Possible Look for physical design solutions, controls, safety lockouts or automation to reduce or eliminate risks
Minimise Possible Minimise the size or volume of the hazard or time of exposure to the hazard e.g. Use smaller waterbaths requiring less volume of water
Rearrange Workflow Possible Rearrange activities to minimise lifting/handling/overuse injuries
Administrative Possible Establish Safe Work Practices e.g. Restrict access, have Safe Work Practice documentation and procedures for hazardous tasks
Training and Supervision Possible Provide training and supervision appropriate to level of expertise of the person(s) involved. Record training in SWP.
Personal Protective Equipment Possible Use only as a secondary measure to supplement other risk controls e.g. gloves, lab coats, safety glasses
Identify hazards and control the risks .
1. An activity may be divided into tasks. For each task identify the hazards and associated risks. Also list the possible scenarios which could sooner or later cause harm.
2. Determine controls necessary based on legislation, codes of practice, Australian standards, manufacturer’s instructions etc.
3. List existing risk controls and any additional controls that need to be implemented
Task or
Scenario
Hazard Associated harm Existing risk controls
Current risk
Any additional controls required?
Residual risk
Placing or taking agar/agarose bottles or test tubes in or out of hot waterbaths
Coming in contact with hot water or steam
Burns or scalds
Incubating enzyme solutions
Coming into direct contact with chemicals whilst placing tubes in waterbaths
Injury from chemical solutions
Incubating bacterial cultures
Coming into direct contact with cultures whilst placing tubes in waterbaths
Injury from bacterial cultures
Turning waterbaths on/off
Potential for electric shock from water contacting power chord
Injury resulting from electric shock
Never run waterbaths at temperatures above 80°C
Medium
Clearly label waterbaths with actual bath temperature and place warning signs advising users about risks from hot water and/or steam
Low
Refer to relevant SDS for each chemical used
Medium
Wear appropriate personal protective clothing, including lab coat, gloves and safety goggles
Low
Always wear gloves when handling bacterial cultures
Medium
Wear appropriate personal protective clothing, including lab coat, gloves and safety goggles
Low
Waterbaths are adequately maintained and tested yearly for electric faults
Laboratories all have earth leakage circuits as a means of extra protection
Medium
Keep area around waterbaths dry
Check that items have current electrical testing tag, if required.
Low
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List emergency procedures and controls
List emergency controls for how to deal with fires, spills or exposure to hazardous substances and/or emergency shutdown procedures
If the person suffered an electrical burn, take patient to the nearest hospital
Check for danger to yourself & bystanders
Switch power off before trying to help the patient
Remove patient from electrical supply without directly touching them i.e. use a non-conductive dry material such as a wooden broom handle
Apply DRSABCD to patient
Wash & cool the burnt area under running water for 20 minutes
Cover burn with non-adherent burns dressing
Seek medical aid for potential cardiac arrhythmia
St John Ambulance Australia Managing Burns & Scalds (Updated 9/2012) http://www.stjohn.org.au/images/stjohn/information/fact_sheets/FS_burns.pdf
St John Ambulance Australia Managing Electric Shock (Updated 5/2012) http://www.stjohn.org.au/images/stjohn/information/fact_sheets/FS_electric.pdf
Implementation
Additional control measures needed: Resources required
REVIEW
Scheduled review date:
Are all control measures in place?
Are controls eliminating or minimising the risk?
12 months
Are there any new problems with the risk?
Review by: (name)
Responsible person
2 years
Date of implementation
3 years
Review date:
Acknowledgement of Understanding
All persons performing these tasks must sign that they have read and understood the risk management.
Note: for activities which are low risk or include a large group of people (e.g. open days, BBQ’s, student classes etc), only the persons undertaking the key activities need to sign below. For all others involved in such activities, the information can be covered by other methods including for example a safety briefing, induction, and/or safety information sheet (ensure the method of communicating this information is specified here)
Risk management name and version number: V1 I have read and understand this risk management form
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