OHS017
OHS Risk Assessment and
Control Form
Risk assessment completed by: Nikki Curthoys
Staff/student number: 3301713
Faculty/Division: Medicine
Document number
SOMS.CGM.RA057
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:: Western Blotting- Gel Running and Transfer
Step 1: Identify the activity
Describe the activity:
Western Blotting (please note: the preparation of acylamide solutions and pouring of acrylamide gels are described in the SWPs “Prepartion of acrylamide solutions” and “Pouring of acrylamide gels”
respectively. The Antibody probing of membranes is described in the “Western Blotting- Membrane Probing” SWP.
Western blotting is the process of applying a current to a poly-acrylamide gel (see “Pouring of Acrylamide gels” SWP), which is immersed in a liquid buffer filled tank. This tank is connected to a power
converter which provides electrical current to diodes within the tank. The gel is loaded with samples which will migrate through the gel, according to their molecular weight, upon current electrophoresis.
This gel is then removed from the electrophoresis apparatus, placed adjacent to a poly-vinyl membrane, and through a separate tank and electrical current protocol, those proteins which have been
separated via PAGE are transferred to the poly-vinyl membrane. This membrane is then stained, and probed with a specific antibody or antibodies to detect proteins of interest.
A detailed protocol can be found in the “57_SWP_Western Blotting- Gel Running and Transfer_NC” SWP.
Describe the location: Western blotting is carried out with the Wallace Wurth building, Lab 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 people performing the task, visitors to the lab, and other workers within the lab are at risk through this activity.
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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
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
Decanting liquidsMethanol
Pipetting liquids- BMercaptethanol, TEMED
Disposing of gels, working
with acrylamide
Use of Powerpacs for
current through gels
Flammable liquid may
ignite; methanol is an
inhalant and eye irritantmethanol vapors and
splashing
Fire from methanol
igniting; large volumes
incur inhaling irritation
risk, decanting could
splash methanol into
eyes
Both are flammable
substances. BMercaptoethanol is highly
toxic and can be
absorbed through skin
and inhalation. TEMED is
corrosive.
Toxicity associated with
inhalation or absorption
through skin. Corrosive
skin burns by TEMED
contact
Acrylamide is highly toxic.
Acrylamide can be
absorbed through skin
and is a carcinogen and
neurotoxin.
Overexposure may lead
to health disorders.
Use of all electrical
equipment carries a
hazard of electrical shock
Electrical shock
All decanting done in well
ventilated lab, away from
ignition sources and
naked flames
PPE- Gowns, gloves,
goggles where splash
risk
All TEMED and BMercaptoethanol
solutions kept away from
ignition sources and
naked flames in the lab
L
R
2
D
L
3
D
L
2
E
L
2
D
L
(Apply the hierarchy of
risk controls)
C
L
R
PPE: Gown, Nitrile
Gloves, enclosed shoes
PPE: Gown, Nitrile
gloves, enclosed shoes.
Acrylamide gels disposed
of as cytotoxic waste
* C = consequence
Always plug tanks in
before applying current.
Never use equipment
with bare wires. Never
use double adaptors. All
equipment is electrically
tagged and tested
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:
Nikki Curthoys
(signature)
Authorised by: Peter 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:
Nitrile (not latex) gloves to be used throughout western blotting procedure
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:
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
Australia Dangerous Goods Code
Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace Substances
AS/NZS 2243.2:2006. Safety in laboratories. Part 2: Chemical aspects
Australian Standard AS2243.7-1991. Safety in laboratories. Part 7: Electrical Aspects.
AS/NZS 2161.1:2000 Occupational Protective Gloves – Selection, Use and Maintenance
UNSW Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedure
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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