OHS017
Risk assessment completed by: Alex Macmillan
Staff/student number: z3354957
OHS Risk Assessment and Control
Form
Faculty/Division:
School/Unit:
Analytical Centre : DVC Research
Biomedical Imaging Facility (BMIF)
Document number
Initial Issue date
Current version
R07.01
3
23/02/2010
Current Version
Issue date
11/02/2011
Next review date
February 2012
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::
Optical Microscopy
Step 1: Identify the activity
Describe the activity: Operation of confocal, epifluorescence, 2-Photon, Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED), and atomic force (AFM) microscopes and associated mercury lamps, scanners, lasers,
cameras and computers.
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Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Describe the location: Microscopes are located in Lowy Buillding LG 22 and LG 24.
Step 2: Identify who may be at risk by the activity
Operators of the microscopes will face the primary risk. Other microscopy users in the facility (trainees) will also face risk. As the hazardous presented by microscopes are spatially contained, they
pose few risks to those outside the facility.
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
Use of all microscopes:
Electrical
equipment
(microscopes,
halogen lamps,
mercury lamps,
scanners, cameras
and computers)
Possible electric
shock
Regular checks of power cords
for fault, fraying or wear and
regular electrical safety checks.
Maintenance only performed by
authorized BMIF Microscopy
staff and microscope vendors.
4
L
E
R
(Apply the
hierarchy of risk
controls)
C
L
R
M
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Date Effective: 01/01/2007
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Ergonomics
Postural damage
from extended
periods of time
working at
microscope and
computer
Maintain good posture at all
times whilst working at the
microscopes and computers. Do
not work at the microscope
/computer for more than two
hours without taking a break.
3
D
M
Glass slides and
coverslips
Cuts from broken
glass
Carry slides/coverslips in suitable
container. Dispose of any
broken slides/coverslips
immediately in Sharps containers
provided. Dispose of any used
slides/coverslips correctly
(Sharps containers).
2
C
M
Experiment
specific chemicals
and biological
materials
Possible exposure to
toxic or hazardous
chemicals or
biological materials
Specimens brought into the
facility must be clean, dry, safe
and enclosed/contained (eg
mounted slide). Live cells must
be transported correctly. Where
applicable, OGTR regulations
must be complied with and the
specimens suitably contained.
No hazardous chemicals will be
allowed in the BMIF. No PC2
organisms will be permitted in
the BMIF.
3
D
M
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Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Use of microscopes with
mercury lamps
Use of Imaging oil
(Immersol)
Skin and eye
irritation. Dermititis
from chronic
exposure.
Users instructed to wash hands
when leaving facility (already
included in PC2 controls). Users
instructed to wash hands if there
is skin exposure.
1
D
L
Mercury Lamp
Mercury vapor
exposure - from
explosion of mercury
lamp
Obey rules of use regarding
turning on and off, and
monitoring the usage of mercury
lamps - see SOP for details. If
mercury lamps are unusually dim
or flicker notify Area Supervisor
immediately. Mercury lamp use
should not exceed 200hours.
When lamp usage approaches
200 hours of use the lamps are
replaced by authorized BMIF
staff only. If explosion occurs
evacuate room immediately, shut
door, place "no entry" sign
across door and notify a member
of BMIF staff (Alex Macmillan or
Henry Haeberle) immediately.
Maintenance only to be
performed by authorized
personnel.
D
1* (if
person
al are
evacu
ated
immed
iately)
L
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Use of microscopes with
lasers
Lasers
Eye damage from
lasers (UV and visible
lasers)
Do not look directly at light
source. Maintenance only to be
performed by authorized
personnel (Leica, Zeiss, and
Olympus technical personal, and
BMIF staff)
Use of Microscopy
area
(LG22 and LG24)
Room temperature
and humidity
Fluctuations in room
temperature and
humidity
Problem currently being
monitored and dehumidifiers
currently in LG22 and LG24
* C = consequence
L = likelihood
R = risk rating
E
5
M
from the UNSW Risk Rating Procedure
Step 8 Documentation and supervisor approval
Completed by: (name) Henry Haeberle
(signature)
Authorized by: (name)
(signature)
Date:
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:
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:
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Date Effective: 01/01/2007
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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.
Australian National Standards: 1337.4:2004 Personal eye-protection - Filters and eye-protectors against laser radiation,
2211.1:2004 Safety of laser products
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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
Required action
Act immediately:
Very high
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;
High
(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:
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UNSW Concise OHS Risk Rating Table
Effective date: 01/01/2007
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Current Version: 2.6,16/07/2008
(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:
Low
Managed by local documented routine procedures which must include application of the hierarchy
of controls.
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UNSW Concise OHS Risk Rating Table
Effective date: 01/01/2007
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Current Version: 2.6,16/07/2008