OHS017
OHS Risk Assessment and
Control Form
Risk assessment completed by: Claire Martin
Staff/student number: 3301711
Faculty/Division: Medicine
Document number
SOMS.CGM.RA022
School/Unit: SoMs, Oncology Research Unit/MDU
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: Immunofluorescent staining of cells with antibodies and phalloidin
Step 1: Identify the activity
Fixing cells with paraformaldehyde
Permeablising cells with methanol or TritonX-100
Blocking cells with FBS or BSA
Staining cells with primary and secondary antibodies
Washing cells
Staining cells with phalloidin
Staining cells with DAPI
Mounting coverslips
Step 2: Identify who may be at risk by the activity
Anyone performing the activity may be at risk. Lab staff. Visitors to the lab may be at risk of chemical exposure.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________
Page 1 of 5
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
Fixing cells
Permeablising cells
Exposure to
paraformaldehyde
Exposure to methanol
Exposure to TritonX -100
Washing cells
Use of electrical
equipment (if using
suction pump)
Corrosive, toxic, may be
carcinogen, Ingestion
may be fatal. May cause
heritable genetic
damage. May cause
irreversible damage to
sight. Corrosive. May
cause skin or eye burns
or irritation. Can cause
severe burning of mouth
and stomach. Harmful by
inhalation, ingestion or
skin absorption.
Methanol is toxic by
inhalation, ingestion or
skin absorption. May be a
reproductive hazard.
Ingestion may be fatal.
Risk of very serious,
irreversible damage if
swallowed. Exposure
may cause eye, kidney,
heart and liver damage.
Chronic or substantial
acute exposure may
cause serious eye
damage, including
blindness. Irritant.
Narcotic.
Electric shock
Wear PPE (gloves, gown
and closed shoes). Wear
goggles where splashing
is possible.
L
R
4
D
Med
4
D
Med
3
E
Med
(Apply the hierarchy of
risk controls)
C
L
R
Avoid contact with eyes,
skin, and clothing. Avoid
prolonged or repeated
exposure.
Dispose of waste
correctly
Wear PPE (gloves, gown
and closed shoes). Wear
goggles where splashing
is possible.
Avoid contact with eyes,
skin, and clothing. Avoid
prolonged or repeated
exposure.
See SWP on safely using
electrical equipment
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________
Page 2 of 5
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Staining cells with
phalloidin
Exposure to phalloidin
Phalloidin is very toxic.
May be fatal if swallowed,
inhaled or absorbed
through the skin.
Wear PPE (gloves, gown
and closed shoes). Wear
goggles where splashing
is possible.
4
E
Med
3
E
Med
Avoid contact with eyes,
skin, and clothing. Avoid
prolonged or repeated
exposure.
Staining cells with DAPI
Exposure to DAPI
May be harmful is
swallowed, inhaled or
absorbed through skin.
Causes eye irritation.
Wear PPE (gloves, gown
and closed shoes). Wear
goggles where splashing
is possible.
Avoid contact with eyes,
skin, and clothing. Avoid
prolonged or repeated
exposure.
* C = consequence
L = likelihood
R = risk rating
from the UNSW Risk Rating Procedure
Step 8 Documentation and supervisor approval
Completed by: Claire Martin
(signature)
Authorised by: (name)
(signature)
Date: 30/6/09
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.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________
Page 3 of 5
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
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
AS/NZS 2161.1:2000 Occupational Protective Gloves – Selection, Use and Maintenance
AS/NZS 1336:1997 Recommended Practices for Occupational Eye Protection
UNSW Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedure
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________
Page 4 of 5
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.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 5 of 5
UNSW Concise OHS Risk Rating Table
Effective date: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6,16/07/2008