Department of Chemistry and Department of Biology and Biochemistry: Risk Assessment: Working in the 1 South
Solvent Stores.
The assessor should assign values for (a) the level of harm (hazard severity) that could result from using the hazard, and (b) the likelihood of it
occurring (taking into account the frequency and duration of exposure) on a scale of 1 to 5, then multiply them together to give the rating band:
Degree of Harm
(A)
Likelihood of Occurrence
1 – Trivial
(eg discomfort, irritation, slight bruising, self-help recovery)
2 – Minor
(eg small cut, burn or abrasion, basic first aid need)
3 – Moderate (eg strain, sprain, infection, poisoning, incapacitation > 3 days, fire)
4 – Serious (eg fracture, hospitalisation >24 hrs, incapacitation >4 weeks, severe
damage to building)
5 – Fatal
(single or multiple)
1 – Remote
2 – Unlikely
3 – Possible
4 – Likely
5 – Very likely
(B)
(almost never, not expected at all)
(foreseeable, but only occurring rarely)
(could occur, but uncommon)
(recurrent but not frequent)
(could occur frequently)
The risk rating (high, medium or low) indicates the level of response required to be taken when designing the action plan.
Risk Assessment Matrix
(B)
(A)
Risk Rating Bands (A x B)
Trivial
Minor
Moderate Serious
Fatal
Remote
1
2
3
4
5
Unlikely
2
4
6
8
10
Possible
3
6
9
12
15
Likely
4
8
12
16
20
Very likely
5
10
15
20
25
LOW RISK
(1 – 8)
MEDIUM RISK
(9 - 12)
HIGH RISK
(15 - 25)
Continue,
but review
periodically to
ensure controls
remain effective
Continue,
but implement
additional reasonably
practicable controls
where possible and
monitor regularly
STOP THE ACTIVITY
Identify new controls. Activity
must not proceed until risks
are reduced to a low or
medium level
Risk Assessment of:
Solvent Storage.
Assessor(s):
Marianne Harkins
Work Authorised by:
Overview of activity / location / equipment /
conditions being assessed:
Working in the 1 South solvent stores at the University of Bath.
Date:
March 2015
1 South 0.66 Mixed solvents/ 1 South 0.65 Acetone.
Hazard
Who could be
harmed?
How could they be
harmed?
General
Laboratory users,
staff, support staff,
PG and students,
and/ or contractors
to the laboratory.
See below for specific
details.
Control measures needed to minimise risk
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Anyone accessing
the solvent store or
passing the solvent
store.
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Spills: Solvent
spillage could
potentially result in an
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Solvent bottles
could be dropped
or could crack,
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Risk after controls
implemented
A
B
AxB
Solvents will be kept in original containers where possible. If not possible
they will be kept in a suitable alternative with a secure leak-proof lid.
Vented caps are to be used on storage bottles where provided by
manufacturers.
All solvents are to be correctly labelled including name of contents and
hazards.
When not in use, lids must be replaced immediately.
Suitable carriers must be used for transport. These can be borrowed
from the 3 South stores.
Work with the door open, but close and lock upon exit.
All obvious ignition sources must be removed.
Risk Assessment specified PPE must be worn at all times (nitrile gloves
EN374, safety glasses EN166 & lab coat).
Report to your employer any damaged or defective ventilation plant or
personal protective equipment (PPE).
Locate your nearest eyewash station before starting work.
No eating or drinking in laboratories or in the Solvent Store.
Wash thoroughly after working with solvents and before eating or
smoking.
Do not smoke, weld, burn or use any naked lights in areas that may
contain the vapour of chlorinated solvents as ver y toxic gases may be
given off.
Stock will be kept to a minimum.
Solvents must not be dispensed or opened in the store. Dispensing
should be carried out in a lab.
The condition of bottles/ labels will be checked on a regular basis by
5
1
5
explosive atmosphere.
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Splashes/ Spills:
Exposure to
hazardous
substances. Skin
and/or eye contact.
Inhalation/ infection.
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Fire: Burns/ smoke
inhalation or death.
Damage or loss of
infrastructure.
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resulting in
spillages.
Solvents could
also be spilt during
the dispensing
process.
Explosion/ fire
could result in
burns/ smoke
inhalation/ blast
related injuries
Solvent could
splash or spray
onto skin or into
eyes. There could
be contact/
inhalation
A fire could break
out in or around
the solvent store.
Solvents could
ignite if exposed to
a naked flame or
spark.
Burns/ smoke
inhalation/ blast
related injuries
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No dispensing will be carried out in the solvent store.
Use automated handling, or using tools rather than hands when using
solvents.
Use procedural controls, eg barriers or splashguards, and restricting
access
Do not use solvents to remove paint, grease etc from your skin.
3
1
3
All combustible materials will be removed from the solvent store as a
matter of priority.
The Solvent Store has spark proof lighting installed.
The nearest fire extinguisher is located in the yard.
The nearest fire break-glass point is located in the yard or just inside 1
South (Corridor O.9).
Our fire systems are regularly maintained and checked by our Estates
Department.
Regular health and safety inspections are carried out, including the
Solvent Store and any issue4s or problems are dealt with.
The Solvent Store is locked out of hours.
Safety signage is situated around the store prohibiting the fact that no
naked flames or other sources of ignition are to be used in or around
the store.
5
1
5
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Ensure that good housekeeping is observed at all times.
4
1
4
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All rubbish must be removed immediately.
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The floor and area outside the solvent area must be kept clear of solvent
bottles.
Walkways and access routes must be kept clear at all times.
Solvents must not be stored on the floor.
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Slips and Trips:
musculoskeletal injury.
Dropped solvent
bottles.
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Poor housekeeping could
results in slips and
trips in the solvent
store and slip/ trip/
fall related injuries
stores staff (product cycle should be used so old stock is used first).
Gloves must be removed & disposed of upon completion of work before
leaving the area, to avoid contaminating other areas (such as door
handles, computers, etc.).
No access out of hours to the Solvent Store.
Spill kits are available in the Solvent Store and will be used or latget spills
e.g 2.5 L bottle.
Only appropriate trolleys borrowed from the stores in 3-South will be used
to transport solvents.
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