ohsrm PART B
School of Molecular Bioscience
,
Hazardous procedure: Mass spectrometry
Step 3. Assess the risk
Ref. #
List & describe the hazards and hazardous jobs
Priority
1
Solvents used as mobile phases (eg. methanol, acetonitrile) are TOXIC
3
2
Solvents used as mobile phases (eg. methanol, acetonitrile) are FLAMMABLE
3
3
3
5
Additives in mobile phases (eg. acetic, trifluoroacetic, phosphoric, formic acids) are
CORROSIVE
Sharps used for excising gel bands (scalpel) and for MS injections (silica needle) can
cause injury
High voltage associated with nanospray source could cause electrocution
6
Laser inside MALDI-TOF MS instruments could cause eye damage or blindness
5
7
Robotics components of MS machine can cause physical injury if fingers or hands etc. get
in the way of the moving parts
5
4
4
4
What makes it hazardous? Consult with the workers to find out which factors are relevant:
X The nature of the hazard itself
X The individual(s) involved
Tick relevant boxes and record observations or comments.
Solvents and samples used in HPLC can pose toxic and/or flammable
and/or biohazard risks. Also there is a mechanical risk due to use of
needles for sample injection, and an electrical hazard.
Requires specific training in use of this apparatus
Not safe for use by untrained individuals
Record the names of those consulted when assessing the risk
Ben Crossett, Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Craig Jackson
Date
23/8/2010
Step 4. Control the risk(s)
Describe the risk control(s)
Who is responsible
for implementation
Due by date
Wear personal protective equipment (lab coat, enclosed shoes,
gloves, safety glasses/goggles when handling hazardous liquids)
Individual user and
their supervisor
21/4/2010
Keep ignition sources (eg. Bunsen burners) at least 3 m distant from
solvents (or switched off) eg. when filling or emptying solvent
reservoirs on the HPLC component of the MS machine
Individual user and
their supervisor
21/4/2010
Do not allow skin to come into contact with HPLC solvents and do not
breathe the fumes of these solvents.
Individual user and
their supervisor
21/4/2010
Ensure solvent reservoirs and waste container are gas-tight, and do
not allow vapours of solvents to enter the lab. HPLC waste containers
should have an activated carbon filter on the exhaust port to allow airpressure equilibration but stop solvent vapours exiting the vessel. This
filter should be changed at regular intervals and disposed of as
hazardous waste. Alternatively, HPLC waste vessels should be
located in a fume hood, or should exhaust into a fume hood.
Individual user and
their supervisor
21/4/2010
Keep hands well clear of injection needles and other moving parts.
If using manual injection, be careful when using injection syringes –
needlestick injuries can occur, which are complicated by potential
injection of toxins/biohazards.
Individual user and
their supervisor
21/4/2010
Ensure the HPLC and MS are routinely serviced / inspected by a
qualified individual at regular intervals. If any electrical or mechanical
faults are suspected, stop using the machine, and get it serviced
immediately.
Individual user and
their supervisor
21/4/2010
Do not open up the MS machine to attempt to fix it or otherwise
meddle with it – this is a precision instrument, and can only be
repaired by qualified technicians. Exposing the insides of the MS can
damage it, and expose you to laser radiation or electric shock.
Waste HPLC solvents need to be disposed of as hazardous waste.
NOT DOWN THE SINK ! (Also see “disposal of hazardous chemical
waste” risk assessment forms). For disposal, ensure that HPLC
wastes are contained in SEALED plastic drums or bottles, that are
labeled with the types of solvents present, and the relative amounts of
the different solvents, before taking them to room 225 for storage and
later disposal. If possible, keep different solvent types in separate
waste containers. If you have been analyzing hazardous sample types
(eg. pollutants, organochlorines), note the type of sample traces that
will be present in the HPLC waste.
Individual user and
their supervisor
21/4/2010
Excess samples remaining in sample vials need to be disposed of
appropriately. If biohazards exist, these need to be autoclaved or
treated with bleach. (Note: do not autoclave samples that contain
significant amounts of organic solvents like acetonitrile). If toxic or
flammable hazards exist, these need to be disposed of appropriately
in labeled containers into room 225, as above.
Individual user and
their supervisor
21/4/2010
Proper training of users
Supervisor of
researcher
21/4/2010
Development of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
SMB Safety
Commitee
21/4/2010
Reading and following the SOP
Individual user and
their supervisor
21/4/2010
Record the names of those consulted when deciding on risk control measures
Ben Crossett, Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Craig Jackson
PART B completed by: Nick Coleman
Date:
23/8/2010