University of Cambridge
NIHR Cambridge BRC Immunophenotyping Hub
e6, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
Risk Assessment Form
This form is to be filled in if hazard ratings/quantities/dilutions make University procedures and/or
“Good Laboratory Practice” insufficient control.
Group:
NIHR Cambridge BRC Phenotyping Hub
Anna Petrunkina, Simon McCallum, Natalia
Savinykh, Christopher Bowman, Esther Perez
Jelena Djuric, Alex Hatton, Valeria Radjabova
Activity being assessed:
Use of Standard Electrical Equipment including FACS analysers and Electrostatic Cell Sorters
and confocal microscopes
Hazards identified:
-Electric shock: Potentially fatal at 240V if currents greater than 30mA flow through the body for
more than 40ms. Minor shocks may also cause injury following involuntary muscle contraction.
When operating electrostatic cell sorters, high voltage plates are in use (3-5 kV). Although the
currents in the stream are minimal, this represents significant electrical hazard and contact with the
plates must be avoided.
-Burns caused by passage of heavy currents through the body or by direct contact with an
electrically heated surface.
-Explosion and fire caused by electrical sparks, short circuits, overload heating, poor wiring, in the
presence of flammable material.
-Trip hazard from trailing leads.
The Facility houses 4 analysers: FACSCalibur, FACSCantoII and 2x LSRFortessas Another
analyser (accuriC6) is located in the Sinclair lab. The General Risk Assesment form for the use of
electrical equipment applies to the analysers and microscopes. The major measure to reduce risk is
completion of training and agreement to follow Local Rules
Control measures to reduce level of risk
N.B. Please refer to ’12 Rules for Electrical Safety’ at http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/safety
-All persons usingcal equipment should receive training in the correct and safe use of equipment
and should be familiar with the location of manuals detailing specifications of equipment. If in
doubt see the Laboratory and facilities manager
-Locate the on/off switch for each piece of equipment, and the socket it is plugged into, before use.
-Before use, make a visual inspection of each piece of electrical equipment. Plugs must be wired
properly, the conductors securely fixed and the cable firmly held by the strain relief grip. The rating
of the fuse must be appropriate to the appliance. The cable must be in good condition and free from
breaks in the insulation. It must be fully waterproof where there is any likelihood of coming into
contact with liquids.
-Do not use items of equipment if they appear faulty. In this event, label the items to prevent anyone
else from using them and report Repairs should only be carried out by a competent person e.g.
workshop or service personnel.
-Try to arrange power cables so that they are unlikely to become snagged or damaged, but do not
coil them up too tightly or they may become overheated.
Special risk controls for FACS Facility:
Electrical hazard from lasers: All live components are enclosed, so there should be little risk of
shock. Nevertheless, lasers must not be opened up during lone working or supervisor’s absence. The
lasers within the analysers are enclosed and low-powered, and don't pose the same level of risk
Electrical hazard in case of water leakage: If a water leakage has been discovered, all machines in
the facility should remain off until the source of the leak is identified and eliminated.
Electrical hazard from the high voltage plates: The plates must not be touched unless the power to
them is turned off. The button has a LED light, making it identifiable. One should check every
morning whether button /light is operational
Plates must be turned off before retrieving the samples after sorting.
In case of normal operation and maintenance of sorters, the rules and procedures outlined in the
special risk assessments for sorting facility must be followed.
Control measures to reduce the level of risk (cont.)
-It is permissible if necessary to feed one sixfour way extension block from a single socket, but it
must be fused and must only feed low power equipment (less than 500W/2A). Extension leads must
not be daisy chained. Items with a higher power demand such as kettles, microwaves, heaters must
be fed from an installed socket point. Multiplug adaptors are banned.
-Never attempt to power up items of electrical equipment with wet hands or gloves, or near spilt
water or other liquid. Be aware that electrical equipment used in cold rooms will be vulnerable to
condensation and may therefore be particularly hazardous. When transferring equipment out of cold
rooms for use at room temperature, wrap the equipment in plastic and allow it to warm up before
use.
-Electrical equipment is a possible source of ignition. It must not be used in the vicinity of
flammable or explosive gasses.
Emergency procedures
First Aid: Switch off current, if safe to do so. Secure release from contact. Send for a doctor or
ambulance. Place the casualty in the recovery position. If casualty not breathing, commence
respiratory resuscitation immediately.
Spillage/uncontrolled release:
Name and status of assessor:
Dr. Anna Petrunkina / Simon McCallum
Date of assessment:
010915
Signature of assessor:
Revision due date:
010916