OHS017
OHS Risk Assessment and
Control Form
Risk assessment completed by: F. Shang, E. Burcher
Staff/student number: 9000605
Faculty/Division:
Medicine
Document number
SOMS GBD RA 022
School/Unit:
Pharmacology / School of Medical Sciences
Initial Issue date
30-06-10
Current version
1.0
Current Version
Issue date 30-06-2010
Next review date
30-06-2013
For additional information refer to the OHS Risk Assessment and Control Procedure, the OHS Risk Rating Procedure and the Hierarchy of Risk Controls.
Risk Assessment title: Organ bath experiments - cleanup
Step 1: Identify the activity
Describe the activity: There is a separate RA for organ bath experiments. This RA pertains to the cleanup procedures –
1. Run Krebs physiological salt solution through heating coils and organ baths, allow reservoirs on shelf above to empty of Krebs solution.
2. Fill containers with water, mount stool or steps, to climb onto bench.
3. Fill reservoirs with tap water, allow this to flush out heating coils and organ baths.
4. Fill reservoirs with deionised water, allow this to flush out heating coils and organ baths.
5. Mop up any spilled solutions, empty drip trays.
Describe the location: Wallace Wurth, Room 209.
Step 2: Identify who may be at risk by the activity
A number of people may be at risk from any activity. This may affect the risk controls needed. These people may include fellow workers, visitors, contractors and the public. The location of the activity may
affect the number of people at risk.
Staff and students carrying out experiments with isolated tissues, large organ baths
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Steps 3 to 7: Identify the hazards, risks, and rate the risks
1. An activity may be divided into tasks. For each task identify the hazards and associated risks.
2. List existing risk controls and determine a risk rating using the UNSW Risk Rating Procedure.
3. Additional risk controls may be required to achieve an acceptable level of risk. Re-rate the risk if additional risk controls used.
Tasks
Hazards
Associated risks
(Step 3)
(Step 4)
Risk rating with existing controls
*
Additional risk
controls required
Risk Rating with
additional controls *
(Step 5)
(Step 6)
(Step 7)
Existing risk controls
C
Pour Krebs
solution into the
glass reservoirs
on the top of
organ bath
shelf. Wash
Krebs from the
reservoirs with 2
x 4litres water.
1. Falling/slipping off
bench. Risk greater
when tired.
Physical injury by
falling off the bench.
2. Dropping 4L glass
flask or cutting by
glass
3. Spilt Krebs Electrical equipment
around the bench
L
R
Use a stable ladder
always. Put the fluid
container on the bench
first and then step on the
steps.
3
C
H
a. Danger of cut by
broken glass
b. Infection risk if
human tissue used.
Need to take care.
3
C
Electrocution
Avoid spilling Krebs –
use funnel to pour
solutions into reservoirs.
5
D
* C = consequence
L = likelihood
R = risk rating
(Apply the hierarchy
of risk controls)
Do not work
alone when
cleaning up.
C
L
R
2
D
L
H
Use plastic to fill 1
up reservoirs
instead of glass
flasks
E
L
H
Turn off all
electricals
before cleanup
1
E
L
from the UNSW Risk Rating Procedure
Step 8 Documentation and supervisor approval
Completed by:
F. Shang, E. Burcher
(signature)
Authorised by:
(signature)
Date:
Step 9: Implement the additional risk controls
identified
Indicate briefly what additional risk controls from Step 6 above were implemented, when and by whom.
Risk control:
Date:
Implemented by:
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Page 2 of 4
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Risk control:
Date:
Implemented by:
Step 10: Monitor and review the risk controls
It is important to monitor risk controls and review risk assessments regularly. Review is required when there is a change in the process, relevant legal changes, and where a cause for concern has
arisen. Reviews could be scheduled on an annual basis. If the risk assessment has substantially changed a new risk assessment is warranted.
Review date:
Reviewed by:
Authorised by:
Review date:
Reviewed by:
Authorised by:
Documentation
It is a requirement that legal and advisory documentation that supports this risk assessment be listed. Such documentation includes Acts, Regulations, Australian Standards and Codes of Practice,
where applicable.
NSW OHS Act 2000
NSW OHS Regulation 2001
Australian Standard AS2243.3-2002. Safety in laboratories. Part 3: Microbiological aspects and containment facilities.
Australian Standard AS2243.6-1990. Safety in laboratories. Part 6: Mechanical Aspects.
Australian Standard AS2243.7-1991. Safety in laboratories. Part 7: Electrical Aspects.
AS/NZS 2161.1:2000 Occupational Protective Gloves – Selection, Use and Maintenance
AS/NZS 1336:1997 Recommended Practices for Occupational Eye Protection
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Page 3 of 4
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
UNSW Concise OHS Risk Rating Table
OHS697
What you need to do
1. Consider what can go wrong that can hurt someone
2. Determine what the most likely outcome would be - Consequences
3. Determine how likely those consequences are - Likelihood
4. Calculate the risk rating
5. Required action
How severely could someone be hurt
death or permanent disability to one or more persons
hospital admission required
medical treatment required
first aid required
injuries not requiring first aid
CONSEQUENCES:
Severe
Major
Moderate
Minor
Insignificant
How likely are those consequences?
expected to occur in most circumstances
will probably occur in most circumstances
could occur at some time
is not likely to occur in normal circumstances
may occur only in exceptional circumstances
LIKELIHOOD:
Almost certain
Likely
Possible
Unlikely
Rare
CONSEQUENCES
Insignificant
1
Minor
2
Moderate
3
Major
4
Severe
5
M
H
H
VH
VH
M
M
H
H
VH
Possible
C
L
M
H
H
VH
Unlikely
D
L
L
M
M
H
Rare
E
L
L
M
M
M
LIKELIHOOD
Almost
certain
A
Likely
B
Risk level
Very high
High
Medium
Low
Required action
Act immediately:
The proposed task or process activity must not proceed. Steps must be taken to lower the risk level to as
low as reasonably practicable using the hierarchy of risk controls.
Act today:
The proposed activity can only proceed, provided that:
(i) the risk level has been reduced to as low as reasonably practicable using the hierarchy of
risk controls;
(ii) the risk controls must include those identified in legislation, Australian Standards, Codes of
Practice etc.
(iii) the risk assessment has been reviewed and approved by the Supervisor and
(iv) a Safe Working Procedure or Safe Work Method has been prepared.
(v) The supervisor must review and document the effectiveness of the implemented risk
controls.
Act this week:
The proposed task or process can proceed, provided that:
(i) the risk level has been reduced to as low as reasonably practicable using the hierarchy of
risk controls;
(ii) the risk assessment has been reviewed and approved by the Supervisor and
(iii) a Safe Working Procedure or Safe Work Method has been prepared.
Act this month:
Managed by local documented routine procedures which must include application of the hierarchy of
controls.
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Page 4 of 4
UNSW Concise OHS Risk Rating Table
Effective date: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6,16/07/2008