OHS017
Completed by: Dr. Pall Thordarson & A/Prof. Jonathan Morris
Staff/Student number:
OHS Risk assessment and control form
For additional information refer to Risk Assessment and Control Form - guide to completing the form, OHS Risk Assessment and Control Procedure, OHS Risk Rating
Procedure and the Hierarchy of Risk Controls.
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Science
Document number F10-RA-305
Risk assessment name
School/Unit: All schools and units School of Chemistry
Initial Issue date:16th August 2011
Current version: V1.1
Current Version
Issue date 31st August 2011
Next review date: 31st August 2013
Thin Layer Chromatography – TLC (generic) using either silica or alumina TLC plates
Step 1: :- Identify the Activity and the location of the activity
Step 2: :- : Identify who may be at risk by the activity: A number of people
Description
of Activity
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
Description
of Location
Thin layer chromatography (TLC) for the identification / investigation
of mixture of compounds or products using either silica or alumina
TLC plates.
TLC plates with plastic, aluminium or glass backing used.
Eluting solvents can be any number of organic solvents, acids, bases or
even water. Glass beaker, jar or “fish tank” used to for run the TLC plate.
Glass or plastic “spotters”.
A UV-lamp in a UV-box is used for visualisation.
This procedure may also require the use of staining agents such as iodine
(oxidiser), ninhydrin (irritant), KMnO4 (oxidiser) and vanillin (irritant).
PLEASE CONSULT RELEVANT SWP (F10-SWP-305) FOR THIS
PROCEDURE
Persons
at Risk
Researcher, demonstrator or student performing the procedure.
Other researchers, demonstrators or students in the same
laboratory.
Visitors or contractors entering the laboratory area
Research and teaching laboratories in the School of Chemistry F10
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
Current Version: 3.4, 22/06/2011
Step 3 to 7:- Identify Hazards, Risks and risk controls.
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 (Use hierarchy for risk controls).Re-rate the risk if additional risk controls used.
Hazards
Tasks
(Step 3)
Associated
risks
Risk rating with existing controls
*
Additional risk
controls required
Risk Rating with additional
controls *
(Step 5)
(Step 6)
(Step 7)
Existing risk controls
(Step 4)
C
Handling
glassware,
including beakers,
jars, tanks for
running TLC
plates, glass
capillaries or
glass-backed TLC
plates.
Handling, use and
disposing of silica
or alumina on or
coming from TLC
plates
Use of solvents to
elute plates or
dissolve sample.
Use and handling
of sample(s).
Sharp
edges,
cracks,
broken glass
Cuts or related
physical
injuries
Consult SWP. Appropriate training. Inspect all
glassware before handling. Correct use of
glassware. Use gloves preferably leather and
other appropriate PPE such as protective safety
glasses and a laboratory coat.
Fine silica or
alumina dust
Damage to
lungs from
dust – possible
harm to
respiratory
system. Long
term effects
possible
Risk of
adverse
reaction. Toxic
effects. Risk of
fire. Acid or
corrosive
chemical
burns.
Consult SWP. Appropriate training. All handling
of dry silica or alumina must be carried out in a
fume hood. Avoid breathing dust. Use
appropriate PPE including protective safety
glasses and a laboratory coat and especially
chemically compatible gloves at all times. Use
of facemask type: AS 1716 P1 recommended,
especially for larger quantities.
Consult SWP. Consult MSDS for all chemicals
used and fill in the corresponding School of
Chemistry Risk assessment form.
Appropriate training. First aid on site. Wear
proper PPE, especially gloves and protective
eyewear. Dilute corrosive substances if
possible. Avoid ignition sources. Carry all work
out in a fume hood when possible.
Toxic,
flammable or
irritant
solvents and
sample(s).
L
R
2
C
M
4
E
M
2
D
L
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
Current Version: 3.4, 22/06/2011
C
L
R
Hazards
Tasks
(Step 3)
Associated
risks
Risk rating with existing controls
*
Additional risk
controls required
Risk Rating with additional
controls *
(Step 5)
(Step 6)
(Step 7)
Existing risk controls
(Step 4)
C
Use of UV-lamp
for visualisation.
UV radiation,
electrical
hazards.
Immediate UVburn damage
to eyes or
skin. Delayed
effect due to
DNA damage.
Electrocution.
Consult SWP. Appropriate training. Use UVlamp only in a designated UV-box. NEVER look
at UV sources. Avoid exposure to skin. Use
appropriate PPE, especially gloves at all times.
Annual inspection of electrical equipment (UVlamp) and ensure inspection tag is current.
Use of chemicals
for staining TLC
plates
Toxic,
flammable or
irritant
chemicals.
Risk of
adverse
reaction. Toxic
effects. Risk of
fire. Acid or
corrosive
chemical
burns.
Consult SWP. Consult MSDS for all chemicals
used and fill in the corresponding School of
Chemistry Risk assessment form. Appropriate
training. First aid on site. Wear proper PPE,
especially gloves and protective eyewear. Dilute
corrosive substances if possible. Avoid ignition
sources. Carry all work out in a fume hood when
possible.
L
R
3
D
M
2
E
L
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
Current Version: 3.4, 22/06/2011
C
L
R
Step 8: :- List Emergency procedures and controls .List Emergency controls for how to deal with fires, spills or exposure to hazardous substances and/or emergency shutdown
procedures
From SWP F10-SWP-305 for Thin Layer Chromatography: If silica or alumina is inhaled move to fresh air and obtain medical assistance. In case of solvent spillage, do not
operate switches nearby and mop up solvent if in fume cupboard. If spillage occurs outside fume hood, avoid area and allow to evaporate. Turn off nearby power at power
point. If unable or unsafe to do so use the emergency cut-off switch (red button) for the laboratory (e.g., lF10-234) usually located on the wall near the entrance to the lab.
Contain the fire or spillage if safety of all personnel is not compromised, otherwise shutdown the power using the emergency cut-off switch (red button) for the laboratory (e.g.,
lF10-234) and call the security for emergency (x56666).
Step 9:- Additional controls Implementation
Date all controls implemented :
I(name):
have implemented the controls identified in step 6 (signature)
Step 10:- List legislation, standards and codes of practice relevant to this risk assessment
NSW OHS Act 2000, NSW OHS Regulation 2001, Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace Substances
AS/NZS 2243.2:2006. Safety in laboratories. Part 2: Chemical aspects
AS/NZS 2243.6-1990. Safety in laboratories. Part 6: Mechanical Aspects.
AS/NZS 2243.3:2006 Safety in Laboratories Part 7 Electrical aspects
AS/NZS 2161.1:2000 Occupational Protective Gloves – Selection, Use and Maintenance
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
Current Version: 3.4, 22/06/2011
Step 11:- Authorisation
Note: Local supervisor must determine appropriate authorisation and final sign off when this document is downloaded.
Authorised by:
Date:
Signature: (not required for generic version)
Step 12:- Acknowledgement of Understanding
All persons performing these tasks must sign that they have read and understood the risk assessment (as described in OHS329 Risk Assessment and Control Procedure).
Note: for activities which are low risk or include a large group of people (e.g. open days, BBQ’s, student classes etc), only the persons undertaking the key activities need to
sign below. For all others involved in such activities, the information can be covered by other methods including for example a safety briefing, induction, and/or safety
information sheet (ensure the method of communicating this information is specified in the risk assessment).
Risk assessment name and version number:
Name
I have read and understand this risk assessment
Signature
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
Current Version: 3.4, 22/06/2011
Date
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
Current Version: 3.4, 22/06/2011
UNSW Concise OHS Risk Rating Table (OHS696) (Refer to OHS328 OHS risk rating procedure and/or OHS307 Hazard and Incident Reporting Procedure )
Step 1 – Consider the Consequences
What are the consequences of this event occurring?
Consider what could reasonably happen with existing
controls in place or if an incident has occurred consider
what could have reasonably happened as well as what
actually happened. Look at the descriptions and choose the
most suitable Consequence.
Step 2 – Consider the Likelihood
What is the likelihood of the consequence identified in step 1
happening? Look at the descriptions and choose the most
suitable Likelihood
Step 3 – Calculate the Risk
1.Take the consequences rating (1-5) and select the correct column
2.Take the likelihood rating(A-E) and select the correct row
3. Select the risk rating where the two ratings cross on the matrix below.
VH = Very high, H = High, M = Medium, L = Low
CONSEQUENCES
5. Severe : death or permanent disability to one or more
persons
A. Almost certain: expected to occur in most circumstances
1
2
3
4
5
A
M
H
H
VH
VH
B
M
M
H
H
VH
C
L
M
H
H
VH
D
L
L
M
M
H
E
L
L
M
M
M
B. Likely: will probably occur in most circumstances
4. Major : hospital admission required
C. Possible: could occur at some time
D. Unlikely: is not likely to occur in normal circumstances
2. Minor : first aid required
E. Rare: may occur only in exceptional circumstances
1. Insignificant: injuries not requiring first aid
Risk level
LIKELIHOOD
3. Moderate :medical treatment required
Required action
Very high
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.
High
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.
Medium
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.
Low
Act this month: Managed by local documented routine procedures which must include application of the hierarchy of controls.
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Risk Assessment and Control Form
Current Version: 3.3, 19/11/2010