ohsrm PART B School of Molecular Bioscience , Hazardous procedure: High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) Step 3. Assess the risk Ref. # List & describe the hazards and hazardous jobs Priority 1 Solvents used as mobile phases (eg. methanol, acetonitrile, hexane) are TOXIC 3 2 Solvents used as mobile phases (eg. methanol, acetonitrile, hexane) are FLAMMABLE 3 3 Injection needle could cause puncture wound 5 4 Liquids under pressure could cause eye injury if a sudden leak occurs 4 5 Samples being analysed may be TOXIC (eg. pollutants, metabolic inhibitors etc) 5 6 Samples being analysed may be BIOHAZARDS (derived from pathogenic microbes, clinical samples, recombinant organisms) Electrical faults could lead to electrocution or fire 5 7 5 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 Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Robert Czolij, Craig Jackson Date 22/3/2010 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) Individual user and their supervisor 21/4/2010 Keep ignition sources (eg. Bunsen burners) at least 3 m distant from HPLC (or switched off) when filling or emptying solvent reservoirs 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 needle. If using manual injection, be careful when using sampling 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 is 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 Treat both HPLC solvents and the analysis samples with care, and be aware of the hazards associated with them. (eg. toxic/biohazard/flammable). – read the MSDS of all solvents used so you are aware of the risks. Post the MSDS in the laboratory so it can be easily accessed. Individual user and their supervisor 21/4/2010 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 Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Robert Czolij, Craig Jackson PART B completed by: Nick Coleman Date: 22/3/2010