National Diagnostics preprepared solution :
Protogel : 30% (w/v)
Acrylamide 0.8% (w/v) bisacrylamide (37.5:1)National Diagnostics preprepared solution :
Protogel : 30% (w/v)
Acrylamide 0.8% (w/v) bisacrylamide (37.5:1)
Hazardous Substances Policy - Assessment
CHEMICAL HAZARD AND RISK ASSESSMENT
School of Biosciences
Name of
supervisor
Steve Busby
Assessment Number*
SJWBJM0019
2111
Date of Assessment
08/12/02
Signature
Assessor
Jennie Mitchell
Signature
Notes
A School COSHH form in Word is available on the School Server.
Available from the Health and Safety Unit.
Guidance on making an assessment is given in Making a Chemical Hazard and Risk Assessment.
Guidance is also available from Guidance on Completing the Chemical Hazard and Risk Assessment Form.
Use a continuation sheet to expand any section of this form in hard copy version.
1
LOCATION OF THE WORK ACTIVITY
2
PERSONS WHO MAY BE AT RISK
List names where possible
Lab G3/T102
All members of lab (see current members list at front of folder).
3
ACTIVITY ASSESSED
4
MATERIALS INVOLVED
NAME
National Diagnostics preprepared solution :
Protogel : 30% (w/v)
Acrylamide 0.8% (w/v)
bisacrylamide
(37.5:1)
Preparation of acrylamide gels using commercially made solutions for
general electrophoresis and their staining.
AMOUNT
max/stored
1 litre
Attach copies of data sheet(s)
HAZARD
Toxic
Category 2
Mutagen
Category 2
Carcinogen
TEMED
50ml
Highly
Flammable
Corrosive
Harmful
Ammonium Persulphate
100g
Oxidising
Harmful
Irritant
RISK PHRASES
R45 May cause cancer
R46 May cause heritable
genetic damage.
R24/25 Toxic in contact
with skin and if swallowed.
R48/23/24/25 Toxic:
danger of serious damage
to health by prolonged
exposure through
inhalation, in contact with
skin and if swallowed.
R11 Highly flammable.
Flash point=21°C
R34 Causes burns
R20/22 Harmful by
inhalation and if swallowed
R8 Contact with
combustible material may
cause fire.
R22 Harmful if swallowed
R36/37/38 Irritating to
eyes, respiratory system
and skin
R42/43 May cause
sensitisation by inhalation
and skin contact
HAZDAT NO***
307
1176
1165
BIOSCIENCESNO***
10% Ammonium
Persulphate
10ml
Harmful
Ethidium Bromide
10mg/ml
10ml
Toxic
Ethidium Bromide
solution 1mg/ml
10ml
Toxic
Stain Solution, 0.5ug/ml
500ml
Toxic
Glycerol
5XTBE:
45mM Tris Borate
1mM EDTA
2.5litres
5 litres
Irritant
Irritant
5
R42/43 May cause
sensitisation by inhalation
and skin contact
R46 May cause heritable
genetic damage
R40/21/22 Harmful:
possible risk of irreversible
effects in contact with skin
and if swallowed.
R26 Very toxic by
inhalation
R46 May cause heritable
genetic damage.
R40 Possible risk of
irreversible effects
R23 Toxic by inhalation
R40 Possible risk of
irreversible effects.
R23 Toxic by inhalation
R36 Irritating to the eyes
R36/37/38 Irritating to
eyes, respiratory system
and skin
1509
354
INTENDED USE**
Give brief details and attach protocol/instructions
Running DNA samples on acrylamide gels and staining in
ethidium bromide solution to visualise under UV light. See attached sheet.
6
RISKS to HEALTH and SAFETY from INTENDED USE
From personal exposure or hazardous reactions. Refer to OELs, flash points, etc., as appropriate. Are pregnant women, breast-feeding
mothers especially at risk?
There is a risk of skin contact with all the components but particularly with the acrylamide solution
especially since vinyl and PVC gloves are said to offer no protection against it. There could be a risk of
inhaling the ammonium persulphate dust when weighing it out. APS and TEMED are used in small
quantities only. There is a risk of splashing ethidium bromide stain onto skin when putting the gel in to stain
There is also a fire risk when using the TEMED. There is a risk of UV irradiation when inspecting the gel
or cutting bands out on the transilluminator.
7
CONCLUSIONS ABOUT RISKS
Is level of risk acceptable? Can risk be prevented or reduced by change of substance/procedure? Are control measures necessary?
The risk of inhalation of acrylamide has been greatly reduced by using pre-prepared solutions. The same
applies to ethidium bromide. However the risk of skin contact is serious and measures need to be taken to
prevent it.
8
CONTROL MEASURES
Additional to Good Chemical Practice
Turn off all sources of ignition when using TEMED. Protective clothing and gloves should be warn when handling
acrylamide and ethidium bromide and keep handling to a minimum. Wash hands immediately after removing
gloves when handling acrylamide. Until a suitable replacement for vinyl or pvc gloves can be found current
protection should be continued.
Care should be taken to avoid splashing the ethidium bromide stain when putting gels to
stain. Generation of dust should be avoided when weighing out ammonium persulphate. Electrical connections
must be checked prior to electrophoresis.
When viewing gels on transilluminator in G4A the face mask provided must be used as well as the perspex safety
screen.
Hands should not be exposed to UV light.
9
INSTRUCTION/TRAINING
Specify course(s) and/or special arrangements.
10
MONITORING
Performance of control measures,
Examine hands and fingers weekly for skin peeling due to exposure to acrylamide.
Users of Ammonium persulphate should be registered with HSU and Occupational Health to monitor exposure.
Personal exposure
Health Surveillance
Users of Ammonium persulphate should be registered
with Occupational Health to monitor exposure.
As decided by OH.
11
WASTE DISPOSAL PROCEDURE
See School Server for Approved Procedure Document on specific Chemical Waste Disposal.
Small amounts of unpolymerised acrylamide should be polymerised before disposal.
Gels, gloves, tissues, paper towels etc or anything that has come into contact with acrylamide and/or
ethidium bromide should be sealed in a bag before being placed in the clinical waste bin. Anything used to mop
up a large spillage should be placed in a sealed container, labelled, and for specialist disposal .
After viewing gels on the transilluminator in G4A the gel and tissues used to wipe the
transilluminator are disposed of in the waste bin in G4A which is taken to the skip in the yard by technical
Staff.
12
REVIEW
Enter the date or circumstances for review of assessment (maximum review interval 5 years)
08/12/07 or when a suitable alternative to vinyl or pvc gloves is found.
13
EMERGENCY ACTION
TO CONTROL HAZARDS To stabilize situation eg spread absorbant on liquid spill; eliminate sources of ignition, etc.
Small spills – mop up with paper towels, which should then be transferred to a bag and disposed of. Switch off
all sources of ignition if TEMED has been spilled. In the event of fire use carbon dioxide extinguisher.
Large spills may need the spill kit which should be disposed of as Special Waste afterwards. Where possible any
acrylamide should be polymerised to make it safer for disposal.
Copious amounts of water should be used to flush area.
TO PROTECT PERSONNEL Evacuation, protection for personnel involved in clean-up, Special First Aid
Gloves, goggles or face mask should be worn. There is limited protection from vinyl or pvc gloves.
TO RENDER SITE OF EMERGENCY SAFE
Wash the area thoroughly with water.
CONTACT
Clean-up/decontamination
Prof Steve Busby
PHONE
414 5469
10.10.00
*
**
***
Prefix T is used for Teaching Assessment Number.
Please include amount of chemicals used and how.
Hazdat No is the UNICOSHH datasheet report number.
Biosciences No is the Biosciences data sheet number.
UNICOSHH IS A CHEMICAL DATABASE ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY UNIT SERVER.
BIOSCIENCES DATA SHEETS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICE.