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 Jaenicke Stephan
Activity being assessed:
Tan Lay San
CM2165/Expt. 1
UV Spectroscopy:
To measure the absorption different concentrations of copper complex solution with 5%
ammonia solution with the aid of UV spectrophotometer.
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)
UV Spectrometer. Refer to prepared risk assessment on Use of Standard Electrical Equipment
3)
Disposal of Ammonia waste: Place in Waste container labelled Ammonia Waste placed in the
fume hood.
5% Ammonia Solution: 217.5 ml
INHALATION:
In high concentrations, vapours may irritate throat and respiratory system and cause coughing.
Copper (II) Sulphate pentahydrate: 1.2485 g
Harmful if swallowed. Irritating to eyes and skin. Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term
adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
*amount stated are computed for the whole experiment.
Incompatible materials (special precautions):
5% Ammonia Solution:
Materials to be avoided: Strong oxidizing agents.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, Ammonia.
Copper (II) Sulphate pentahydrate:
Conditions to be avoided: Heating
Substances to be avoided: Hydroxylamine.
Further information: Releases water of crystallization when heated.
The risk of injury and its severity likely to arise from these hazards:
5% Ammonia Solution:
Inhalation: May be harmful if inhaled. Material may be irritating to mucous membranes and
upper respiratory tract.
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Ingestion: May be harmful if swallowed.
Skin Absorption: May be harmful if absorbed through the skin.
Skin Contact: May cause skin irritation.
Eye Contact: May cause eye irritation.
Copper (II) Sulphate pentahydrate:
Inhalation: Irritations of the mucous membranes, coughing, and dyspnoea. Metal-fume fever
after inhalation of large quantities.
Skin contact: Irritations.
Eye contact: Irritations. Risk of corneal clouding. When dusts are generated: conjunctivitis.
Ingestion: Gastic pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, drop in blood pressure, tachycardia, collapse,
acidosis. After a latency period: death.
Who is at risk?
Persons handling the chemicals and as well as those present 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. Work in fume hood.
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:
Level of risk is low, although constant vigilance is necessary to avoid injury.
Emergency action if :
Spill:
5% Ammonia Solution
Exercise appropriate precautions to minimize direct contact with skin or eyes and prevent
inhalation of vapors. Absorb on sand or vermiculite and place in closed containers for disposal.
Ventilate area and wash spill site after material pickup is complete.
Copper (II) Sulphate
Avoid generation of dusts; do not inhale dusts. Avoid substance contact. Do not allow to enter
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sewerage system. Take up dry. Forward for disposal. Clean up affected area.
Fire:
5% Ammonia Solution
Extinguishing media: Water spray. Carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, or appropriate foam.
Specific Hazard(s): Emits toxic fumes under fire conditions.
Copper (II) Sulphate
Suitable extinguishing media: In adaption to materials stored in the immediate neighbourhood.
Special risks: Non-combustible. Ambient fire may liberate hazardous vapours. The following
may develop in event of fire: sulfur oxides.
Is the experiment suitable for out-of-hours operation?
Yes
No
References if any:
Ammonia: http://www.abbey-chemicals.co.uk/MSDS/Ammonia-Solution-5-10-MSDS.pdf
Copper Sulphate : http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9923597
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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