DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
TEACHING LAB EXPERIMENT RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
Synthesis lab
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 Principal Investigator
Name of Lab Officer in Charge
Module / Expt No.
Dr. Ship Chee Peng
Mr. Yeo Boon Hee
CM2111 Expt 2
Activity being assessed:
Preparation and Magnetic Properties of some Ni(II) complexes.
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.
1) N,N-diethylethylenediamine, 0.77g used
Flammable, corrosive and toxic. Cause severe irritation to eyes, skin and respiratory tract and
harmful if absorbed through the skin.
2) Nickel chloride, 0.97g
Harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Causes irritation to skin, eyes and respiratory tract. May cause
allergic skin or respiratory reaction. Cancer hazard. Can cause cancer.
3) Sodium thiocyanate, 0.54g used
Harmful if swallowed or inhaled. May cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Causes irritation to
skin and eye.
4) Nickel Nitrate ethanolic solution, 60 mL used
Strong oxidizer. May cause allergic skin or respiratory reaction. Cancer hazard. Irritates eyes ,
skin and respiratory tract.
5) Ethanol, 15mL used
Flammable liquid and vapour. Causes respiratory tract irritation. Causes severe eye irrition and
moderate skin irritation. Ingestion can cause nausea, vomitting and inebriation; chronic use can
cuse serious liver damage.
6) Sodium iodide, 1g used
Irritates eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Inhalation of dust may cause coughing, choking, with
variable symptoms of headache, dizziness, and weakness. May cause lung edema.
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7) Methanol, 10 mL used
Flammable liquid and vapor. Causes respiratory tract irritation. May cause central nervous
system depression. Poison! Causes eye and skin irritation. May be fatal or cause blindness if
swallowed. Harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Vapor harmful.
8) Dichlomethane 75mL used
Harmful if swallowed or inhaled. May be harmful by skin contact , eye and skin.
Incompatible materials (special precautions):
1) N,N-diethylethylenediamine stores away from acids, strong oxidising agents, acid chlorides
and acid anhydrides.
2) Nickel chloride stores away from potassium as it will cause violent reaction with potassium.
3) Sodium thiocyanate stores away from chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, strong acids, strong
oxidizing agents and mineral acids.
4) Nickel nitrate stores away from aluminum, boron phosphide, cyanides, esters, combustible
material, phospham, phosphorus, sodium hypophosphite, stannous chloride, thiocyanates,
strong reducing agents, and organic materials.
5) Ethanol
Stable. Substances to be avoided include strong oxidising agents,peroxides, acids, acid
chlorides, acid anhydrides, alkali metals, ammonia, moisture. Form xplosive mixtures with air.
6) Sodium iodide stores away from alkali metals, chloral hydrate, acids tartaric acid, potassium
chlorate, metallic salts, iodine. Reacts violently with bromide trifluoride, perchloric acid, and
oxidants.
7) Methanol
Avoid oxidising agents, acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides. Avoid reducing agents, alkali
metals, beryllium dihydride, isocyanates acetaldehyde, ethylene oxide, chloroform and
potassium t-butoxide.
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8) Dichloromathane
Incompatible with alkali metals, aluminium, strong oxidising agents, strong caustics, some forms
of plastic, titanium.
The risk of injury and its severity likely to arise from these hazards:
Spillage and accidental breakage of flasks containing the reagents.
Who is at risk?
Persons directly in contact with the above stated chemicals.
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.
Training prerequisites:
Advise students on the hazards of reagents used. Refer to prepared risk assessments on use
of glassware, use of fume hoods and use of standard electrical equipment.
Use of Glassware
Use of Standard Electrical Equipment
Level of risk remaining:
Low
Emergency action if :
Spill:
1) N,N-diethylethylenediamine
Absorb spill with inert material (e.g. vermiculite, sand or earth), then place in suitable container.
2) Nickel chloride
Sweep up and containerize for disposal.
3) Nickel nitrate
Clean up spills in a manner that does not disperse dust into the air. Use non-sparking tools and
equipment. Reduce airborne dust and prevent scattering by moistening with water. Pick up spill
for disposal and place in a closed container.
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4) Ethanol
Contain spill with earth, sand, or absorbent material which does not react with spilled material.
Remove liquid by explosion-proof pumps or vacuum equipment.
Place in suitable, covered, labelled containers. Flush area with water.
5) Methanol
Absorb spill with vermiculite, dry sand or earth. Place into designated containers for disposal.
Avoid entry to drains.
6) Sodium iodide
Pick up and place in a suitable container for disposal without generating any dust. Small
amounts of residue may be flushed to sewer with plenty of water.
7) Sodium thiocyanate
Sweep up and containerize disposal. Vacuuming or wet sweeping may be used avoid dust
dispersal.
Fire:
1) N,N-diethylethylenediamine
Water-based extinguishers should not be used for fires involving organic materials. Use carbon
dioxide or dry powder.
2) Methanol
Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray or regular foam.
3) Ethanol
Use carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, alcohol foam or polymer foam.
Fire fighting foams are the extinguishing agent of choice for most flammable liquid fires.
4) Nickel nitrate
Use water or water spray in early stages of fire. Foam or dry chemical may also be used.
Is the experiment suitable for out-of-hours operation?
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Yes
No
References if any:
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.
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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.).
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