OHS017
OHS Risk Assessment and
Control Form
Risk assessment completed by: Claire Martin
Staff/student number: 3301711
Faculty/Division: Medicine
Document number
SOMS.CGM.RA015
School/Unit: School of Medical Sciences
Initial Issue date
30/06/09
Current version
1.0
Current Version
Issue date 30/06/09
Next review date
30/6/2012
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: DNA extraction from agarose gels
Step 1: Identify the activity
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Take ethidium-bromide-stained agarose gel with electrophoresed DNA, and over a UV transilluminator carefully cut out DNA fragment of interest using a scalpel. Ensure protective faceshield is in place before turning on UV.
Place agarose fragment in an eppendorf tube and add an equal volume of binding buffer (1μL per mg agarose)
Heat in 50-65°C heat block until agarose is entirely melted (approx. 10 minutes)
Transfer melted agarose solution to SV minicolumn, placed inside collection tube. Incubate for 1 min.
Spin in microcentrifuge for 1 min at top speed
Discard spin-through, and wash by adding 800μL wash buffer
Spin in microcentrifuge for 1 min at top speed
Discard spin-through, and wash by adding 500μL wash buffer
Spin in microcentrifuge for 1 min at top speed
Discard spin-through, and Spin in microcentrifuge for 1 min at top speed
Place SV minicolumn into clean eppendorf tube and add 50 μL H2O or TE buffer. Incubate for 1 min.
Spin in microcentrifuge for 1 min at top speed to collect DNA
Describe the location: Visualising gels and cutting out bands: Room 525, performing gel-extraction: Room 502
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Page 1 of 4
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Step 2: Identify who may be at risk by the activity
A number of people may be at risk from any activity. This may affect the risk controls needed. These people may include fellow workers, visitors, contractors and the public. The location of the activity
may affect the number of people at risk.
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.
Tasks
Hazards
Associated risks
(Step 3)
(Step 4)
Risk rating with existing
controls *
Additional risk controls
required
Risk Rating with
additional controls *
(Step 5)
(Step 6)
(Step 7)
Existing risk controls
C
Using transilluminator
Exposure to UV light
UV burns to skin, eye
damage
Don PPE (laboratory coat,
gloves and safety glasses)
L
R
4
E
Med
4
D
Med
(Apply the hierarchy of
risk controls)
C
L
R
Wear protective face-shield
Handling gel
Exposure to Ethidium
Bromide
Toxicity
Don PPE (laboratory coat,
gloves and safety glasses)
Wear blue nitrile gloves
Use only in designated areas
Dispose of gels in cytotoxic
waste
Using scalpel
Using Heat block
Cutting hazard
Hot surface
Cutting or stabbing
injuries
Wear PPE (including
enclosed shoes)
2
D
Low
Burns
Ensure equipement is well
maintained – tagged and
tested
2
E
Low
Electrical hazard
Electrical shock
Using microcentrifuge
Rotor disengaging and
hitting person
Physical injury
Electric shock
Electrical hazard
* C = consequence
See risk assessment for use
of centrifuges:
04_RA_Centrifuge Use_AK
L = likelihood
R = risk rating
from the UNSW Risk Rating Procedure
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Page 2 of 4
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Step 8 Documentation and supervisor approval
Completed by: Claire Martin
(signature)
Authorised by: P. Gunning
(signature)
Date: Jun09
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:
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:
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.
NSW OHS Act 2000, NSW OHS Regulation 2001
Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace Substances
AS/NZS 2243.2:2006. Safety in laboratories. Part 2: Chemical aspects
AS/NZS 2243.3:2002 Safety in laboratories, Part 3:Microbiological aspects and containment facilities)
AS/NZS 2243.3:2002/Amdt 1:2003 Safety in laboratories, Part 3:Microbiological aspects and containment facilities)
AS/NZS 2243.7-1991. Safety in laboratories. Part 7: Electrical Aspects.
AS/NZS 2243.6-1990. Safety in laboratories. Part 6: Mechanical Aspects.
AS/NZS 2161.1:2000 Occupational Protective Gloves – Selection, Use and Maintenance
AS/NZS 1336:1997 Recommended Practices for Occupational Eye Protection
AS/NZS 2211.9:2002 Safety of laser products - Compilation of maximum permissible exposure to incoherent optical radiation
AS/NZS 1338.2:1992 Filters for eye protectors - Filters for protection against ultraviolet radiation
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Page 3 of 4
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
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
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
Likely
B
Risk level
Very high
High
Medium
Low
Required action
Act immediately:
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:
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;
(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:
(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:
Managed by local documented routine procedures which must include application of the hierarchy of
controls.
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Page 4 of 4
UNSW Concise OHS Risk Rating Table
Effective date: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6,16/07/2008