DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
TEACHING LAB EXPERIMENT RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
This form must be completed jointly by the Lab Officer in charge and the Lecturer in charge. A
hardcopy of the completed form should be kept in a file together with the Project Risk
Assessment.
Name of Lecturer in Charge
Name of Lab Officer in Charge
Module / Expt No.
A/P Chuah Gaik Khuan
Tan Lay San
CM 3193/94/
Inorganic Expt
Activity being assessed:
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Known or expected hazards associated with the activity:
Hazards of reagents, solvents and known reaction products.
State each substance and the approximate amounts to be used/produced.
List of activities involved in this experiment which inevitably entail risks. The following are the
activities being use:
1)
Glass Apparatus. Refer to prepared risk assessment on Use of Glassware
2)
Syringes with needles, Pasteur pipettes. Refer to prepared risk assessment on Use and
Disposal of "Sharps"
3)
Waste disposal: All organic waste have to be disposed of in the appropriately labelled
waste container placed in a secondary containment housed under the designated fume
hood.
500ppm Caffeine: 6.5mL
Harmful if swallowed. Routes of Entry: Inhalation. Ingestion.
500ppm Sodium Benzoate: 6.5mL
May be harmful if swallowed. May cause respiratory tract, eye and skin irritation.
Eluent (55% Methanol+45% Buffer): 1L
Buffer = Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (11.908g)+ Conc. Sulphuric Acid (5mL)
+Water

Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate:
Caution! May cause irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. May be harmful if swallowed or
inhaled.

Conc. Sulphuric Acid:
Extremely hazardous in case of eye contact (corrosive). Causes severe eye burns. Extremely
hazardous in case of skin contact (corrosive). Skin contact produces severe burns. Extremely
hazardous in case of inhalation. May be fatal if inhaled. Hazardous in case of inhalation (lung
corrosive). Extremely hazardous in case of ingestion. May be fatal if swallowed.
* No MSDS available for this reagent (Eluent). Above information is based on MSDS for
Page 1 of 7
Printed on: 17 February 2016
individual chemicals used for preparation.
Organic Solvent: (50% Methanol+50% Water): 500mL
Poison! Danger! Vapor harmful. May be fatal or cause blindness if swallowed. Harmful if inhaled
or absorbed through skin. Cannot be made non-poisonous. Flammable liquid and vapor.
Causes irritation to skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Affects central nervous system and liver.
* No MSDS available for this reagent. Above information is based on MSDS for Methanol used
for preparation.
* Above amount stated are computed for the whole experiment.
Incompatible materials (special precautions):
500ppm Caffeine:
Reactive with oxidizing agents.
500ppm Sodium Benzoate:
Reactive with acids, alkalis.
Eluent (55% Methanol+45% Buffer):
Buffer = Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (11.908g)+ Conc. Sulphuric Acid (5mL)
+Water

Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate:
No incompatibility data found.

Conc. Sulphuric Acid:
Extremely reactive or incompatible with reducing agents, combustible materials, organic
materials, metals, acids, alkalis, moisture.
Organic Solvent: (50% Methanol+50% Water):
Strong oxidizing agents such as nitrates, perchlorates or sulfuric acid. Will attack some forms of
plastics, rubber, and coatings. May react with metallic aluminum and generate hydrogen gas.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flames, ignition sources and incompatibles.
The risk of injury and its severity likely to arise from these hazards:
500ppm Caffeine:
Eye Contact: No known acute effects of this product resulting from eye contact.
Skin Contact: No known acute effects of this product resulting from skin contact.
Inhalation: No known acute effects of this product resulting from inhalation.
Ingestion: Hazardous in case of ingestion.
Page 2 of 7
Printed on: 17 February 2016
500ppm Sodium Benzoate:
Eye Contact: May be hazardous in case of eye contact (irritant).
Skin Contact: May be hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant). Skin inflammation is
characterized by itching, scaling, reddening, or, occasionally, blistering.
Inhalation: May be hazardous in case of inhalation (lung irritant).
Ingestion: May be hazardous in case of ingestion.
Eluent (55% Methanol+45% Buffer):
Buffer = Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (11.908g)+ Conc. Sulphuric Acid (5mL)
+Water

Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate:
Inhalation: May cause mild irritation to the respiratory tract.
Ingestion: Phosphates are slowly and incompletely absorbed when ingested, and seldom result
in systemic effects. Such effects, however, have occurred. Symptoms may include vomiting,
lethargy, diarrhea, blood chemistry effects, cardiac effects and central nervous system effects.
The toxicity of phosphates is because of their ability to sequester calcium. Acute potassium
intoxication by mouth is rare because large single doses usually induce vomiting and because
in the absence of pre-existing kidney damage, potassium is rapidly excreted. Potassium
poisoning can result in heart effects, change in respiration rate, tingling in the extremities,
heaviness in the limbs, nausea and diarrhea.
Skin Contact: Irritant due to its acidic nature. May cause inflammation and pain on prolonged
contact, especially with moist skin.
Eye Contact: May cause irritation, redness and pain.
Chronic Exposure: May sequester calcium and cause calcium phosphate deposits in the
kidneys.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: Persons with impaired kidney function may be more
susceptible to the effects of the substance.

Conc. Sulphuric Acid:
Eye: Extremely hazardous in case of eye contact (corrosive). Causes severe eye burns
Skin: Extremely hazardous in case of skin contact (corrosive). Skin contact produces severe
burns.
Inhalation: Extremely hazardous in case of inhalation. May be fatal if inhaled. Hazardous in
case of inhalation (lung corrosive).
Ingestion: Extremely hazardous in case of ingestion. May be fatal if swallowed.
Organic Solvent: (50% Methanol+50% Water):
Inhalation: A slight irritant to the mucous membranes. Toxic effects exerted upon nervous
Page 3 of 7
Printed on: 17 February 2016
system, particularly the optic nerve. Once absorbed into the body, it is very slowly eliminated.
Symptoms of overexposure may include headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, blurred
vision, blindness, coma, and death. A person may get better but then worse again up to 30
hours later.
Ingestion: Toxic. Symptoms parallel inhalation. Can intoxicate and cause blindness. Usual fatal
dose: 100-125 milliliters.
Skin Contact: Methyl alcohol is a defatting agent and may cause skin to become dry and
cracked. Skin absorption can occur; symptoms may parallel inhalation exposure.
Eye Contact: Irritant. Continued exposure may cause eye lesions.
Chronic Exposure: Marked impairment of vision has been reported. Repeated or prolonged
exposure may cause skin irritation.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye
problems or impaired liver or kidney function may be more susceptible to the effects of the
substance.
Who is at risk?
Persons handling the chemicals as well as those in the vicinity.
Measure to be taken to reduce the level of risk:
Proper laboratory attire and safety measures must always be used in order to reduce the level
of risk. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Do not take internally. Eye wash and safety
equipment should be readily available.
Eye protection: Chemical safety goggles.
Hand protection: Gloves.
Please
refer
to
PSSO
Safety
Information
Centre
website
on
safety
measures:
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/PSSO/index.htm#undergrad
Training prerequisites:
This assessment should be read by everyone who will be using the above mentioned
chemicals.
Please
refer
to
Completed
Risk
Assessment
on
Common
Activities:
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/PSSO/safety/risk/risk.htm#Common
Level of risk remaining:
The level of risk is low although constant vigilance is necessary to avoid injury.
Emergency action if :
Spill:
500ppm Caffeine:
Small Spill: Use appropriate tools to put the spilled solid in a convenient waste disposal
Page 4 of 7
Printed on: 17 February 2016
container.
Large Spill: Stop leak if without risk. Do not get water inside container. Do not touch spilled
material. Prevent entry into sinks or drainages. Call for assistance on disposal.
500ppm Sodium Benzoate:
Small Spill: Use appropriate tools to put the spilled solid in a convenient waste disposal
container.
Large Spill: Use a appropriate tool to put the material into a convenient waste disposal
container. Finish cleaning by spreading water on the contaminated surface.
Eluent (55% Methanol+45% Buffer):
Buffer = Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (11.908g)+ Conc. Sulphuric Acid (5mL)
+Water

Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate:
Ventilate area of leak or spill. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. Pick up and
place in a suitable container for disposal, using a method that does not generate dust.

Conc. Sulphuric Acid:
Small Spill & Leak: Dilute with water and mop up, or absorb with an inert dry material and place
in an appropriate waste disposal container. If necessary: Neutralize the residue with a dilute
solution of sodium carbonate.
Large Spill & Leak: Stop leak if without risk. Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other noncombustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Do
not get water inside container. Avoid contact with a combustible material (wood, paper, oil,
clothing...). Use water spray to reduce vapors. Prevent entry into sinks or drainages. Call for
assistance on disposal. Neutralize the residue with a dilute solution of sodium carbonate. Finish
cleaning by spreading water on the contaminated surface and allow to evacuate.
Organic Solvent: (50% Methanol+50% Water):
Ventilate area of leak or spill. Remove all sources of ignition. Wear appropriate personal
protective equipment. Isolate hazard area. Keep unnecessary and unprotected personnel from
entering. Contain and recover liquid when possible. Use non-sparking tools and equipment.
Collect liquid in an appropriate container or absorb with an inert material (e. g., vermiculite, dry
sand, earth), and place in a chemical waste container. Do not use combustible materials, such
as saw dust. Do not flush to sewer! If a leak or spill has not ignited, use water spray to disperse
the vapors, to protect personnel attempting to stop leak, and to flush spills away from
exposures.
Fire:
500ppm Caffeine:
Page 5 of 7
Printed on: 17 February 2016
Not applicable.
500ppm Sodium Benzoate:
Not applicable.
Eluent (55% Methanol+45% Buffer):
Buffer = Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (11.908g)+ Conc. Sulphuric Acid (5mL)
+Water

Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate:
Explosion: Not considered to be an explosion hazard.
Fire Extinguishing Media: Use any means suitable for extinguishing surrounding fire.

Conc. Sulphuric Acid:
Non-flammable.
Organic Solvent: (50% Methanol+50% Water):
Fire Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide. (Water may be
ineffective.)
Is the experiment suitable for out-of-hours operation ?
Yes
No
References if any:

Caffeine: http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927475

Sodium benzoate: http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927413

Methyl alcohol: http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927227

Potassium phosphate, monobasic: http://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/19543.htm

Conc. Sulphuric acid : http://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/22350.htm
Signature of Lab Officer in Charge:………………………………………………………………..
Date:…………………………
Signature of Lecturer in Charge:………… ……………………………………..
Date:… ……………………..
Prepared Risks Assessments for standard equipment and operation are with the kind permission of Dr. Ken MacNeil,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol.
Page 6 of 7
Printed on: 17 February 2016
Activity being assessed:
Note any activity to be used which entail risk (e.g. use of glass vacuum apparatus, high pressures, high
voltage, radiation, high temperatures). Give reference to any special protocols to be followed, and if
appropriate attach copies to the risk assessment form. State any additional precautions taken to minimise
risk.
Known or expected hazards associated with the activity:
FOR EACH CHEMICAL, read the MSDS and note:a) Particular hazards (e.g. highly toxic, carcinogenic, corrosive, flammable, pyrophoric, explosive, volatile,
dust hazard). Note any dangerous combinations of properties (e.g. volatile and toxic).
b) Requirements for safe handling (e.g. fume cupboard, inert atmosphere, low temperature).
c) How to dispose of residuals
 Dispose to drain, with water dilution
 Neutralise, then to drain with suitable dilution
 To flammable liquid waste receptacle
 To non-flammable liquid waste receptacle
 Keep for recovery/recycling
 Keep for special disposal later (e.g. heavy metals)
 Double bag and dispose to dry waste
 Special procedure (specify)
Incompatible materials (special precautions)
Note any dangerously incompatible materials and hazards arising from contact of any reagents and
substances used with common materials such as paper, benches, hoses, etc.
Measures to be taken to reduce the level of risk
Include hazards of previously unknown products.
Location of work – laboratory, open bench, fume cupboard
Level of risk remaining:
Likelihood and consequences of any accident or unforeseen events whilst carrying out the activity. When
this has been done, choose the appropriate procedure:a) Close supervision and/or attendance of trained first-aider needed.
b) Specific approval of supervisor needed.
c) Training is needed prior-to or during the operations specified.
d) Training is complete and only general laboratory competence required.
e) No risk perceived.
Emergency action:
a) Any special requirements to deal with accidental spillage or leakage.
b) What to do in the event of accidental exposure (skin contact, inhalation, etc.).
Page 7 of 7
Printed on: 17 February 2016