Faculty of Science
Hazardous Substances Risk
Assessment
Subject Code and Title:
Subject Coordinator:
Location of Exercise/Activity:
Expected Duration:
Exercise/Activity Number:
Description of the Exercise/Activity:
Are additional risk assessment forms required?
Are forms required?
Are forms attached?
Microorganisms
yes
no
yes
no
Solar UV radiation
yes
no
yes
no
Ionising radiation
yes
no
yes
no
Other:
yes
no
yes
no
Hazardous
substance?
Y/N
DG
class
Poison
schedule
Biological
hazard?
Y/N
1.
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2.
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3.
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4.
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5.
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6.
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Substance Name
Volume / Quantity (ml/mg)
used
stored
Note: All hazardous substances and dangerous goods must be listed above and an MSDS must be available. Extend table as
necessary. MSDS are available from ChemWatch.
Hazardous Substances / Dangerous Goods Risk Assessment form V1
Page 1
Hazard Information
Note: Hazard information is available from the MSDS
Potential Routes of Exposure
Substance 1
Substance 2
Substance 3
Substance 4
Substance 5
Substance 6
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Other:
MSDS Recommended Precautions for Use
Substance 1
Substance 2
Substance 3
Substance 4
Substance 5
Substance 6
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Other:
Environmental Exposure Evaluation
Substance Substance Substance Substance Substance Substance
1
2
3
4
5
6
Is the substance used in the working environment?
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Is the substance handled in a fume cupboard?
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Is there direct skin contact with the substance?
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Is the substance used in a concentrated form?
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Is the substance diluted by a student?
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Is there potential for splashes or production of
aerosols?
Is there potential for the production of dust or
fumes?
Will there be extended exposure to the substance?
ie. greater than 3 hrs.
Other:
Controls (Y / N)
Substance Substance Substance Substance Substance Substance
1
2
3
4
5
6
Is there adequate supervision of students?
Are staff/students appropriately trained in the
proper use of the substance?
Is there adequate ventilation/isolation/enclosure of
the substance?
Are current MSDS’s provided for referral?
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Hazardous Substances / Dangerous Goods Risk Assessment form V1
Page 2
Are all reagents labelled appropriately?
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Are hazardous substances stored correctly?
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Is waste disposed of correctly?
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Are there emergency procedures in place?
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Not applicable
Other:
Hazardous Substances / Dangerous Goods Risk Assessment form V1
Page 3
Risk Score Matrix (Workcover Hazpak)
LIKELIHOOD of Reagent Exposure
How likely is it to be that bad?
SEVERITY of Reagent Exposure
How severely could it hurt someone
or
how ill could it make someone?
++
+
-
--
Very likely
Likely
Unlikely
Very unlikely
Could happen
at any time
Could happen
sometime
Could happen,
but very rarely
Could happen,
but probably
never will
1
1
2
3
1
2
3
4
2
3
4
5
3
4
5
6
Kill or cause permanent
disability or ill health
!!!
Long term illness or serious injury
!!
Medical attention and several days
off work
!
First aid needed
Priority (taken from the risk score matrix)
1 = Urgent

Act now

Notify supervisor immediately

Supervisor to notify OHS
2 = High Priority

Act Now

Notify supervisor today

Supervisor to notify OHS
3 = Medium Priority

Action required this week
4 = Low Priority

Hazard may not need immediate attention
5/6 = Monitor Risk

If hazard increases in risk, take action
Hierarchy of Control
Elimination
(Remove the hazard)
Substitution
(Equipment / materials)
Isolate
(Reduce Exposure)
Redesign
(Work methods)
Administration
(Work Practice - Training, signage, supervision etc)
Personal protection
(e.g. Gloves, glasses, respirator, coverall etc)
Hazardous Substances / Dangerous Goods Risk Assessment form V1
Page 4
Risk Evaluation
Substance Substance Substance Substance Substance Substance
1
2
3
4
5
6
Likelihood and severity of the hazard
(use the risk score matrix 1-6)
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Risk Summary
Substance Substance Substance Substance Substance Substance
1
2
3
4
5
6
Has the degree of exposure been reduced?
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Is the risk controlled by the use of PPE?
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Is the risk isolated by the use of a fume cupboard
or BSC?
Is the risk substituted by the use of a less
hazardous substance?
Is the risk eliminated completely?
Other
Actions Resulting from the Assessment Checklist Results (please tick)
Substance Substance Substance Substance Substance Substance
1
2
3
4
5
6
no further action required
further information is required
additional consultation is required
appropriate control measures will need to be
introduced
further training of staff or students is required
Other
Assessment Results (please tick)
Please refer to appendix A
Substance Substance Substance Substance Substance Substance
1
2
3
4
5
6
Conclusion 1
Conclusion 2
Conclusion 3
Conclusion 4
Risks not significant
Risks significant but effectively
controlled
Risks significant but not
adequately controlled
Uncertain about the risks and /or
further information is required.
Note: If a ranking of 3 or 4 is assigned then the procedure cannot be approved. Review control measures.
Hazardous Substances / Dangerous Goods Risk Assessment form V1
Page 5
Appendix A
Conclusion 1

The amounts or rates of use of a substance are too small to constitute a risk, even if controls fail
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The procedures obviously and strictly conform to guidelines

Similar assessments in the past have confirmed that the risks were not significant, and work conditions are now the same

The process is conducted according to standards equivalent to, or better than, those recommended in relevant
Commonwealth/State/Territory government guidance on good practice
Conclusion 2
This conclusion usually applies to conditions where serious health effects could result if the control measures fail or deteriorate because
the procedure uses highly toxic substances or the potential exposure is high.
Risks, while presently adequately controlled, could increase in the future, owing to, for example

Undetected deterioration in the efficiency of control measures

Plant or system failure

Control measures not used properly
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Human error, from lack of awareness, monitoring or training

Changes in methods or rate of work

A significant increase in the quantity of a substances used
Conclusion 3
The following are examples of work conditions where a procedure or the use of a hazardous substance is likely to constitute a risk, and
further investigation, for example, monitoring, might be necessary

Dusts, mists or fumes visible in the air, and there are persistent or widespread complaints of illness, discomfort, irritation or
excessive odour
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Splashing with substances is observed
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Broken, defective or badly maintained controlled measures

Recognised good practice is not being observed
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Airborne concentrations approach or exceed exposure standards

Ill-health associated with exposure has been detected by health surveillance
Conclusion 4
If the level of exposure cannot be estimated with confidence, further investigation is necessary. Atmospheric monitoring might be
required to estimate a level of exposure. For substances absorbed through the skin or ingested, biological monitoring might be required.
A detailed evaluation might be needed if there is the potential for a major hazard such as a large leak or spill during a procedure
If there is not enough information from which to estimate the risks, more information or help should be sought from sources such as
suppliers, occupational health and safety consultants, industry or trade associations or the relevant public authorities.
Hazardous Substances / Dangerous Goods Risk Assessment form V1
Page 6
Actions / Comments:
Remaining Risks:
Risk Assessment completed by:
Name:
Signature:
Date:
Name:
Signature:
Date:
Name:
Signature:
Date:
Name:
Signature:
Date:
Consultation:
Approvals and Comments:
Name
Signature
Approval
y/n
Facility Manager
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Head of School
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Hazardous Substances / Dangerous Goods Risk Assessment form V1
Comments
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