UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER
School of Biosciences
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
***** APPENDIX 4 - CHEMICAL SAFETY *****
Total 4 sheets
Title of Experiment
Room
6.10
NCS
6th Nov – 9th Nov
2007
1.
Permeability of betacyanin through beetroot
membranes
Brief description of work
Treatment of beetroot sections with heat, freezing or solvent damages the cell membranes
allowing the coloured pigment to leach out and be measured by colorimetry.
Note that a COSHH assessment for class activity may not be of a sufficiently high level to cover technician preparation; double assessment
usually required. Note also that it is RISK that is to be assessed, not HAZARD.
2.
LIST OF SUBSTANCES USED OR CREATED (continue on a separate sheet if necessary)
Manufacturers Safety Data
Computer Data Base
Product Label
Other (Specify)
NAME OF SUBSTANCE
(CODE)
PHYSICAL
DESCRIPTION
MAX.
QUANTITY
EXPOSED TO
Sodium chloride
White
crystalline
solid
250 g
acetone
liquid
2.5 L
liquid
2.5 L
methanol
DATA AVAILABLE
(YES/NO)
KNOWN HAZARDS
(See Note;
use numbers)
Y
4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14,
15
Y
3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13,
14, 15,
Y
3, 4, ,5, 7, 12, 13,
14, 15
NOTE: 1) EXPLOSIVE
2) OXIDIZING 3) FLAMMABLE 4) TOXIC 5) HARMFUL 6) CORROSIVE
7) IRRITANT 8) CARCINOGEN 9) MUTAGEN 10) TERATOGEN 11) DUST 12) INHALATION
13) INGESTION 14) SKIN ABSORPTION 15) SKIN OR EYE 16) INJECTION 17) MAXIMUM EXPOSURE LIMIT
18) OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE STANDARD 19) RADIATION 20) OTHER (specify)
(current edition).
3.
Note 17, 18: see EH40
PERSONNEL INVOLVED WITH SUBSTANCES (continue on a separate sheet if necessary)
NAME/CLASS
4.
Ref
INITS
3SBS474
G Stubbs
GS
Trevor Price
TP
STATUS
Senior
Academic
Technical
support
INVOLVEMENT - DATE OF USE or
DAILY/WEEKLY/MONTHLY/OCCASIONALLY
Occasionally
Occasionally
OTHER GROUPS/PERSONS WHO MAY HAVE ACCESS TO THE SUBSTANCES
(e.g. students, cleaners, maintenance staff, contractors, visitors, storekeepers, etc.):
Technical Staff, store keepers, Students
State control measures (to prevent inappropriate persons/groups having access to the substances):
Reagents are only accessible to students for the duration of the practical
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES (as per Hazard Data Sheet).
if any of the substances or procedures identified above is likely to pose a special hazard in an emergency, then identify below action to be
taken.
CODE
Acetone
Code F
Code T
Methanol
Code F
Code I
Sodium
chloride
Code 0
SPILLAGE/UNCONTROLLED RELEASE
FIRE
Avoid breathing vapours; remove
all sources of ignition. Evacuate
personnel to safe areas.
Control spillage using noncombustible absorbent materials,
eg vermiculite, and place ina
container for disposal.
Do not let product enter the
drains
Avoid breathing vapours; remove
all sources of ignition. Evacuate
personnel to safe areas.
Control spillage using noncombustible absorbent materials,
eg vermiculite, and place ina
container for disposal.
Do not let product enter the
drains
For small local fires, use foam, dry chemical or
carbon dioxide.
For large fires, from a distance apply water,
preferably as a mist or spray.
For fire fighters, wear self –contained breathing
apparatus.
PROCEDURE(S) OF
PERSONAL PRECAUTION(S)
Exercise appropriate precautions
to minimize direct contact with
skin or eyes and prevent
inhalation of dust.
METHODS FOR CLEANING UP
Sweep up, place in a bag and
hold for waste disposal. Avoid
raising dust. Ventilate area and
wash spill site after material
pickup is complete.
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA
Suitable: Non-combustible. Use extinguishing
media appropriate to surrounding fire
conditions.
FIREFIGHTING
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained
breathing apparatus and protective clothing to
prevent contact with skin and eyes.
For fires involving this material, do not enter
any enclosed or confined fire space without
proper protective equipment. This may include
self-contained breathing apparatus to protect
against the hazardous effects of the normal
products of combustion or oxygen deficiency
Specific Hazard(s): Emits toxic fumes under fire
conditions.
If personnel are affected (fumes, contamination, etc.) treatment to be adopted:
For small local fires, use foam, dry chemical or
carbon dioxide.
For large fires, from a distance apply water,
preferably as a mist or spray.
For fire fighters, wear self –contained breathing
apparatus.
SPECIFY PER SUBSTANCE
(CODE AS PER HAZARD DATA SHEET)
Acetone
Hazards identification:
Risk advice to man and the environment:- Highly flammable. Irritating to the eyes. Repeated
exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking. Vapours may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
AFTER INHALATION
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give
oxygen.
AFTER SKIN CONTACT
In case of skin contact, was off with soap and flush with copious amounts of water for at least 15
minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Consult a physician.
AFTER EYE CONTACT
In case of contact with eyes, flush with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Assure
adequate flushing by separating the eyelids with fingers. Call a physician.
AFTER INGESTION
Do NOT induce vomiting. If swallowed, wash out mouth with water provided person is conscious.
Call a physician immediately.
Methanol
Hazards identification:
Risk advice to man and the environment:- Highly flammable; Toxic by inhalation, in contact with
the skin and if swallowed. TOXIC: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in
contact with skin and if swallowed.
AFTER INHALATION
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give
oxygen.
AFTER SKIN CONTACT
In case of skin contact, was off with soap and flush with copious amounts of water for at least 15
minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Take victim immediately to hospital. Consult a
physician.
AFTER EYE CONTACT
In case of contact with eyes, flush with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Assure
adequate flushing by separating the eyelids with fingers. Call a physician.
AFTER INGESTION
Do NOT induce vomiting. If swallowed, wash out mouth with water provided person is conscious.
Call a physician immediately.
Sodium chloride
ORAL EXPOSURE
If swallowed, wash out mouth with water provided person is conscious. Call a physician.
INHALATION EXPOSURE
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If breathing becomes difficult, call a physician.
DERMAL EXPOSURE
In case of contact, immediately wash skin with soap and copious amounts of water.
EYE EXPOSURE
In case of contact with eyes, flush with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Assure
adequate flushing by separating the eyelids with fingers. Call a physician.
(NB. Antidotes and special treatment may be obtained through...................................................................................................................................)
6.
CONTROL MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED (NB. Consider the following points, the appropriate Biosciences Safety Code plus
any other necessary
measures. SPECIFY PER SUBSTANCE AS NECESSARY FOR EACH OF THE ITEMS BELOW.)
1. Limiting exposure time of personnel - state maximum time
2. Partial enclosure with local exhaust ventilation
3. Local exhaust ventilation
4. Sufficient general ventilation
5. Personal protective equipment (goggles/gloves/clothing/mask/breathing apparatus/safety screen, etc.) SPECIFY
* 6. Safe disposal/storage of hazardous substances
* 7. Regular cleaning of the workplace
* 8. Adequate washing facilities
* = MANDATORY
Control measures employed – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Safety glasses, disposable gloves provided.. Maximum intermittent exposure time is
the duration of the prac ~ 2 hrs for the students.
Ensure that no naked flames are present in the lab when using acetone and methanol
STORAGE - SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
Acetone
Stable under recommended storage conditions
viz. store in a cool place. Keep container tightly
closed. Opened containers to be carefully
resealed and stored upright to prevent spillage
Acetone
Hand: Protective gloves.
Eye: Chemical safety goggles
Methanol
Stable under recommended storage conditions
viz. store in a cool place. Keep container tightly
closed. Opened containers to be carefully
resealed and stored upright to prevent spillage
Methanol
Hand: Protective gloves.
Eye: Chemical safety goggles
Sodium chloride
keep containers tightly closed
Sodium chloride
Hand: Protective gloves.
Eye: Chemical safety goggles.
DISPOSAL PROCEDURES DURING AND AT END OF EXPERIMENT
Sodium chloride – excess solutions washed down the sink with running water
Acetone – stored in solvent waste bottles in the fume cupboard
methanol – stored in solvent waste bottles in the fume cupboard
7.
REVIEW AND MONITORING OF CONTROL MEASURES
(Required checks, and their frequency, on the adequacy and maintenance of the control measures during the course of the experiment)
(NB. Biosciences Safety Code in respect of health surveillance needs. This form is not adequate if health surveillance is required.)
General surveillance of the laboratory during the experiment
8.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION (continue on a separate sheet if necessary)
(e.g. restriction of usage; transportation risks; labelling requirements; assessment review date, etc.)
9.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the above precautions will adequately control the risks from the hazardous substances listed. I have
brought the assessment to the notice of the relevant technicians; academic staff; students.
Name of Assessor:
Dr G Stubbs
Signed:
Status of Assessor:
Senior Academic
Date: November 2007