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.
Dr Sim WS/ Dr Chin WS
Activity being assessed:
Ms Tang CN
CM2101 / 6
(A) Determination of Iron by spectrophotometry.
(B) Determination of Titanium by spectrophotometry
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.
See Appendix 2101.2.6
Incompatible materials (special precautions):
H2O2 and acid may corrode the work bench.
The risk of injury and its severity likely to arise from these hazards:
Sulphuric acid causes irritation to skin.
Who is at risk?
Person performing the experiment.
Measure to be taken to reduce the level of risk:
Eye protection to be worn.
Training prerequisites:
General laboratory competence.
Use of Glassware
Use of Standard Electrical Equipment
Level of risk remaining:
Low.
Emergency action if :
Spill:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Eyes : Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the
upper and lower eyelids. Get medical aid.
Skin : Wash affected area with water for 10mins. Remove contaminated clothing.
Consult physician if necessary.
Bench: Spillages on the work bench should be mopped up with a piece of cloth
immediately.
Fire: not a fire hazard.
Is the experiment suitable for out-of-hours operation ?
Yes
No
References if any: Refer to the following MSDS for more information
Potassium thiocyanate : http://msds.pdc.cornell.edu/msds/msdsdod/a462/m230587.htm
Ferric ammonium sulphate. 12H2O : http://hazard.com/msds/f2/bth/bthtn.html
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Ferrous ammonium sulphate. 6H2O : http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/f1616.htm
Sulphuric acid, 0.1M : https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/89925.htm
Titanium sulphate solution : http://msds.pdc.cornell.edu/msds/msdsdod/a37/m18080.htm
Hydrogen peroxide, 3% : https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/40069.htm
Potassium permanganate : http://hazard.com/msds/f2/chn/chntv.html
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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Appendix 2101.2.6
(A)
Reagent
KSCN
Concentration
4M
Ferric amm
sulphate.12H2O
Amount
used/produced
45mL
0.0108g/250mL
H2SO4
0.1M
~500mL
Potassium
permanganate
H2O2
0.002M
Few drops
3%
Few drops
Unknown W
<70mg/L Fe2+
<70mg/L Fe3+
2mL
Fe3+
+
( ~3μmol)
SCN-
Expected hazard
Irritation to eyes and
skin.
May cause irritation
to skin, eyes and
respiratory tract.
Mildly corrosive
May cause irritation
to skin and eyes.
May cause irritation
to skin, eyes and
respiratory tract.
May cause irritation
to skin, eyes and
respiratory tract.
Treatment/Disposal
Avoid nitric acid and
strong oxidizing agents.
Wash spillages away with
plenty of water.
Wash spillages away with
plenty of water.
Wash spillages away with
plenty of water.
Wash spillages away with
plenty of water.
Wash spillages away with
plenty of water.
[Fe(SCN)]2+
(B)
Reagent
Concentration
Amount
used/produced
Titanium solution
0.1mg/mL
120mL
Hydrogen peroxide
3%
35mL
H2SO4
0.1M
~300mL
Unknown T
<500mg/L
5mL
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Expected hazard
Corrosive to body
tissues.
May cause irritation
to skin, eyes and
respiratory tract.
Mildly corrosive
Corrosive to body
tissues.
Treatment/Disposal
Wash spillages away
with plenty of water.
Wash spillages away
with plenty of water.
Wash spillages away
with plenty of water.
Wash spillages away
with plenty of water.