Risk Control Worksheet
ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Campus:
Clayton
Faculty: Engineering
Department:
Materials Engineering
Room No:
186
Other:
CAST metallography facilities
Building:
37
Assessment Date: October 2007
Area/ Task/ Process Description:
Metallographic etching of magnesium alloys.
Reagents containing acetic acid, picric acid and orthophosphoric acid.
Assessment Team: Y.Lizama
Supervisor: Dr M. Easton
HOW TO USE THIS WORKSHEET
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Review the identification section of each of 5 major hazard categories on the Risk Control Reference Sheets.
Identify the relevant hazards noting the Hazard Code and briefly and separately describing each hazard
associated with the work, equipment, process or work practice. (Description of Hazard)
Use the appropriate matrix to assess
 The possible outcome presented by each hazard (Consequence)
 The possibility of that outcome occurring (Likelihood)
Cross reference the consequence and likelihood to determine the risk (Risk)
Outline the preventative/corrective action (Corrective Actions/Risk Controls)
Provide a realistic date by which the actions should be completed/implemented (Timing)
Nominate the person responsible for the follow of the actions (Responsibility)
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLANNING & REVIEW
For each of the identified hazards that are assessed as an extreme, high or
medium risk a corrective action / continuous improvement plan should be
developed and reviewed as required.
When developing corrective action or control strategies the
HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS should be considered. The single most
important outcome of a risk assessment is to implement effective and
sustainable controls to prevent or significantly reduce the chance of
injury, illness or exposure.
4 levels of controls define the hierarchy. The top two levels Elimination/
Substitution and Engineering Controls are by far the most effective in
preventing or reducing risks because they rely much less on human
behavior, are more difficult to defeat and require much less continuing
human effort than the lower level controls.
As corrective actions are planned every effort should be made to
implement the top 2 levels of control.
March 2002
HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS
Most
Effective
Least
Effective
1
Elimination /
Substitution
2.
Engineering
Controls
3.
Training and
procedures
4.
Personal
Protective
Equipment
Hazard
No.
H1
Description of Hazard
Corrective Actions/ Risk Controls
Etching process involves the use of dilute corrosive chemicals. Splashes
may result in injury requiring first aid treatment.
Consequence
Likelihood
C4
No change to existing controls. All work should be done in the fume cupboard.
Wear proper protective equipment such as safety glasses, latex gloves, labcoat
and close toe shoes. Use minimal quantity of etchant.
Risk
L5
low
Timing
Inhalation of acid fumes during etching, or transfer between containers.
H1
Consequence
Likelihood
C3
low
Skin absorption of picric acid. Splashes on skin.
Likelihood
C2
Responsibility operator
No change to existing controls.
Carry out all transfer of reagents and etching in fume cupboard. Wear
disposable gloves and safety glasses.
Risk
L5
Timing
immediately
Responsibility operator
No change to existing controls.
Wear disposable gloves and safety glasses whilst etching. Wash hands
thoroughly after use and before eating.
H1
Consequence
immediately
Risk
L4
low
Possible explosion of crystals
Timing
immediately
Responsibility operator
Regular checks of etchant bottle. Containers of piocric acid must be inverted
gently at least every 4 weeks to prevent the risk of drying out of picric acid in
the upper section of the container
H1
Consequence
C2
Likelihood
L4
Risk Low
Timing
March 2002
immediately
Responsibility operator
Possible spill of etchants when transferring between ventilated cabinet to
fume cupboard. Risk of inhalation and skin contact.
If a spillage occurs, wash thoroughly with water until there is no residue left.
Wear latex gloves to avoid skin contact. Call the safety instructor and leave the
room, or use spill kit.
Consequence
Timing
immediately
Responsibility operator
Timing
immediately
Responsibility operator
H1
Consequence
March 2002
C2
Likelihood L4
Likelihood
Risk Low
Risk
Notes
Picric acid is toxic and is absorbed through the skin. Hands should be washed thoroughly after use as an added precaution. Gloves must be worn
whilst etching.
Etching reagents must be made up by qualified and experienced staff only,(Irek Kozicki at Monash University SPME) using standard practices for
the safe handling and mixing or chemicals.
Reference Documents
MSDS for picric acid
MSDS for orthophosphoric acid
MSDS for acetic acid
March 2002