OHS017
OHS Risk Assessment and
Control Form
Risk assessment completed by: Dr C.A. Lucas
Staff/student number:3283496
Faculty/Division: Medicine
Document number
SOMS.CGM.RA038
School/Unit: School of Medical Sciences, Oncology Research Units
Initial Issue date
30/06/09
Current version
1.0
Current Version
Issue date 30/06/09
Next review date
30/06/12
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: High Resolution MyHC gel electrophoresis
Step 1: Identify the activity
Describe the activity: The task involves setting and running high resolution SDS gel electrophoresis to specifically separate Myosin Heavy Chain
isoforms . This involves the pouring of bis-acrylamide stock solution containing Tris buffer, glycerol, EDTA, glycine, sodium dodecyl sulphate,
ammonium persulphate, and TEMED to make polyacrylamide gels for use in high resolution SDS gels. TEMED and ammonium persulphate
catalyse the polymerization reaction of Bis-acrylamide –acrylamide to form a gel matrix which is used to separate MyHC isoforms.
For detailed protocols refer to MyHC gel electrophoresis SWP
Describe the location: Electrophoresis performed in Rm 501
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.
The operator, fellow workers, visitors and contractors
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Page 1 of 6
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
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
Preparation of
Protein samples
for MyHC SDS
gels
Pouring
Acrylamide gels
Biological
exposure to
protein samples,
Bromophenol
blue, DTT
Causes irritation to
respiratory system,
eyes and skin upon
inhalation and
contact
Use standard PPE
which include
laboratory coat,
Nitrile gloves and
safety glasses
when handling
biological samples
and chemicals
2
Leaking gel
cassettes.
Absorption of
acrylamide
through skin.
Acrylamide affects
central and
peripheral Nervous
System and
reproductive system
when swallowed,
inhaled or absorbed
through skin
PPE: Gown, Nitrile
gloves, safety
goggles, enclosed
shoes.
2
L
D
R
L
(Apply the hierarchy of risk
controls)
Use face mask.
C
L
R
2
E
L
2
E
L
Read MSDS prior to
the usage
ofchemicals
Spill kit
Hazardous
substances training
course
D
L
Use face mask.
Read MSDS prior to
the usage
ofchemicals
Spill kit
Hazardous
substances training
course
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Page 2 of 6
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Pipetting liquidsTEMED
Setting up and
running of gel
electrophoresis
TEMED is toxic
via inhalation or
absorption.
TEMED is
flammable and
corrosive.
Toxicity associated
with ihalation or
absorption through
skin. Corrosive skin
burns by TEMED
contact
TEMED solutions
kept away from
ignition sources
and naked flames
in the lab
Electrical Hazard
Electrical Shock
Chemical
exposure to
electrophoresis
buffer
SDS electrophoresis
buffer may cause
irritation to eyes and
skin upon contact
Equipment
manufactured to
Australian
Standards
3
D
M
TEMED
decanting/pipetting
into solutions to be
done in a fume hood
2
D
L
2
D
L
Place electrophoresis
power supply on a
elevated position
separated from
electrophoresis tank
2
E
L
PPE: Gown, Nitrile
Gloves, enclosed
shoes
Ensure power
supply pack is
turned off when
connecting cables
Ensure SDS
electrophoresis
buffer is not filled
beyond max fill
line
Conduct visual check
on equipment prior to
use
Equipment is tagged
periodically
Standard PPE
when loading gel
cassettes into the
electrophoresis
system
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Page 3 of 6
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Disposing of gels
Acrylamide is
highly toxic.
Acrylamide can
be absorbed
through skin and
is a carcinogen
and neurotoxin.
Overexposure may
lead to health
disorders.
PPE: Gown, Nitrile
gloves, enclosed
shoes.
2
E
L
Acrylamide gels
disposed of as
cytotoxic waste
* C = consequence
L = likelihood
R = risk rating
from the UNSW Risk Rating Procedure
Step 8 Documentation and supervisor approval
Completed by: Christine Lucas
(signature)
Authorised by: Edna Hardeman (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:
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:
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Page 4 of 6
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
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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NSW OHS Act 2000
NSW OHS Regulation 2001
Safe Work Procedure Form (OHS026)
Australia Dangerous Goods Code.
AS/NZS 2243.2:2006. Safety in laboratories. Part 2: Chemical aspects
Australian Standard AS2243.3-2002. Safety in laboratories. Part 3: Microbiological aspects and containment facilities.
AS/NZS 2161.1:2000 Occupational Protective Gloves – Selection, Use and Maintenance
AS/NZS 1336:1997 Recommended Practices for Occupational Eye Protection
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Page 5 of 6
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 6 of 6
UNSW Concise OHS Risk Rating Table
Effective date: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6,16/07/2008