OHS017
Risk assessment completed by:
Staff/student number:
OHS Risk Assessment and Control
Form
Faculty/Division:
Medicine
Document number
POWCS.ORC.RA E5
School/Unit:
POWCS/ORC
Initial Issue date
01/02/10
Current version
1
Current Version
Issue date
01/02/10
Next review date
01/12/2011
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::Basic operating procedures for the high-speed Floor-mounted and Low speed bench top centrifuges.
Step 1: Identify the activity
Describe the activity: Use of high-speed floor- mounted and low speed bench top centrifuges to separate particles from different
samples as per their size and density.
Describe the location: ORC
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
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Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Step 2: Identify who may be at risk by the
activity
Staff who is using centrifuges
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.
Hazards
Tasks
(Step 3)
Associated
risks
Risk rating
with existing
controls *
Existing risk controls
Additional risk
controls required
(Step 6)
Risk Rating with
additional
controls *
(Step 5)
(Step 4)
C
L
R
(Step 7)
(Apply the
hierarchy of risk
controls)
C
L
Break the job
down into steps
Identification of
the appropriate
centrifuge.
None
None
Read the
operating
user
Read the operating
user
manual
manual
depending
on
the
depending on the
type of the centrifuge
type
of the
to be used.
centrifuge to be
used.
Selection
of
the
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
appropriate
centrifuge
tubes/
Page 2 of 9
bottle
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
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Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
R
Selection of the
appropriate
centrifuge tubes/
bottle
Preparation of
the balance
tubes.
Biological
Spillage and
imbalance due to use exposure
of inappropriate
centrifuge
tubes/bottles with
regards to their
chemical resistance
and maximum
tolerated G force
rating.
Imbalance can lead
to rotor accidents.
* C = consequence
Assess the suitability of
the centrifuge tubes/
bottles by reading the
appropriate
instructions.
Make sure that the
sample is compatible
with the centrifuge
tube/bottle (Be aware of
the chemical properties
of the sample).
M
E
M
3
This has the
Balance the tubes on
3 E M
potential to not the basis of weight
only damage
Ultracentrifuge machine
the centrifuge
it self shows green light
and destroy the on or indicator when
samples, but
there is imbalance of
can also lead to tubes
serious
operator injury.
This is
especially true
when using
ultracentrifuges
.
L = likelihood R = risk rating
from the UNSW Risk Rating Procedure
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
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Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Selection of
correct rotors
Spillage and
imbalance also
occur due to rotors
and Buckets are not
secured secure in
their brackets and
incorrect inserts/
adaptors are used.
Hazards of
imbalance are as
described above.
As above
Identification of
sample
a) Non GMO
As covered in basic
operating
procedures
Possibility of
Possibility of GMO- Biological
b) GMO
aerosols generated exposure
if the roters/ buckets
i)Exempt dealings and
tubes/bottles
are
not
suitably
covered.
* C = consequence
Select
the
correct 3
inserts/ adaptors and
ensure that the roters/
buckets are secure as
per the specifications in
the operating manual.
E
M
Familiarity with the PC- 3
2 equipment (Sop#8),
UNSW document
“Management of
biological hazardous
spill or accidental
release of biological
agents”, Draft version 2
and Australian
standard
(AS2243.3:2002)
before using GMOs.
Covers for the buckets
and rotors are to be
used at all times.
E
M
L = likelihood R = risk rating
from the UNSW Risk Rating Procedure
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
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Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Identification of
samples
b) GMO
ii) Licensed
dealings, NLRDs
or DNIR
As above
Use of non PC-2
centrifuges
Centrifuging
samples in
uncovered tubes or
bottles
Step 8 Documentation and supervisor
approval
Completed by: (name)
(signature)
Date: Dr Aparajita Khatri
These samples must
be centrifuged in PC-2
centrifuges in closed
tubes/bottles in closed
rotors. Once the
centrifugation is done,
the samples are to be
opened in PC-2 hoods
only.
3
Authorised by: (name)
E
M
(signature)
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
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Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
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: SWP prepared
Date:
Implemented by:
Risk control:
Date:
Implemented by:
Risk control:
Date:
Implemented by:
Risk control:
Date:
Implemented by:
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:
Review date:
Reviewed by:
Authorised by:
Review date:
Reviewed by:
Authorised by:
Review date:
Reviewed by:
Authorised by:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
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Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
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.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
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Date Effective: 01/01/2007
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
Likely
B
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
Risk level
Required action
Act immediately:
Very high
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:
High
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;
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UNSW Concise OHS Risk Rating Table
Effective date: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6,16/07/2008
(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:
Medium
(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:
Low
Managed by local documented routine procedures which must include application of the hierarchy
of controls.
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Page 9 of 9
UNSW Concise OHS Risk Rating Table
Effective date: 01/01/2007
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Current Version: 2.6,16/07/2008