Soil Testing
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SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
LOCATION
VMC
WRITTEN BY: APPROVED BY:
Science Team
DATE CREATED
WS&H
LAST REVISION
June 27, 2014
New
PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Safety glasses or face shield must be worn at all
times in work areas.
Long and loose hair must be tied back
Appropriate footwear must be worn. Shoe must
be fully enclosed. No open toed shoes.
Close fitting/protective clothing must be worn.
Remove strings hanging from pullovers/sweaters.
Rings and jewelry (long necklaces / bracelets,
etc.) must not be worn.
HAZARDS PRESENT
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Chemical burns
Absorption of Chemicals.
Inhalation of Chemicals.
Ingestion of Chemicals.
Slips / trips & falls
Chemical hazards
ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS
APPARATUS / MATERIALS
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Soil
Ruler
Ice cream bucket
Bags
Newspaper
Palintest kit
Beakers
1M HCl with dropper
Balance
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Equipment orientation
WHMIS training
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
1. Don all personal protective equipment including: safety glasses, & protective nitrile gloves
(where required). Ensure all loose clothing is either removed or tied back. Remove any jewelry
and tie back long hair.
2. Collect a soil sample by digging out an area 20cm down. Keep your cube of soil intact.
3. Store your sample in a sealed ice cream bucket in a cool place.
4. Measure and record the depth of each layer in your soil sample (i.e., plant debris, rich soil, clay
or gravel).
5. Label and store each layer in a separate bag in a cool but above freezing place.
6. Restore the area where you took your sample by filling it with soil.
7. Place your soil sample on a piece of newspaper. Determine the texture of your sample and
record your observations.
8. Use the Palintest kit to test the pH.
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
Soil Testing
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9. Put a small amount of soil in a beaker and add a few drops of 1M HCl. Record your
observations.
10. Mass a 100ml beaker and then put 25.0 grams of soil in the beaker. The soil will be dried and
remassed for the next class.
11. Clean up your work station.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
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WS&H Act W210, Section 4, 5
Mb. Regulations 217/2006,
Part 16, (Machines / Tools & Robots) Sections 16.1-16.18)
Part 35, (WHMIS Application)
Part 36, (Chemical & Biological Substances Application)