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.
Prof Sam Li
Activity being assessed:
Ms Tang CN
CM2142 / 9
Water Analysis
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 2.9
Incompatible materials (special precautions):
Potassium dichromate : strong oxidizer. Contact with other materials may cause a fire. Carcinogen.
Ag2SO4 in conc H2SO4 : corrosive, strong oxidizer; clean up any spills immediately.
Refluxing to be carried out in the fume cupboard. Anti bumping chips to be added to refluxing mixture to
prevent super heating.
The risk of injury and its severity likely to arise from these hazards:
Ag2SO4 in conc H2SO4 : causes severe burns.
Who is at risk?
Person performing the experiment.
Measure to be taken to reduce the level of risk:
Eye protection to be worn. Add conc acid to refluxing flask slowly and with swirling as heat is evolved.
Training prerequisites:
General laboratory competence.
Use of Glassware
Use of Fume Hoods
Use of Laboratory Heating Equipment
Level of risk remaining:
Low risk.
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: Use a CO2 fire extinguisher.
Is the experiment suitable for out-of-hours operation ?
References if any: Refer to the following MSDS for more information
Potassium dichromate: http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/p5719.htm
Mercuric sulphate: http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/m1547.htm
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Yes
No
Ferrous amm. sulphate, 0.05N : http://hazard.com/msds/f2/bwd/bwdkw.html
Silver sulphate in conc. H2SO4 : https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/01418.htm
n-phenylanthranilic acid : https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/53750.htm
HCl , 0.05M : http://hazard.com/msds/f2/brm/brmsx.html
pH 10 buffer : http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/b5638.htm
Eriochrome Black T : http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/e1300.htm
EDTA, 0.01M : http://msds.pdc.cornell.edu/msds/msdsdod/a434/m216805.htm
H2SO4, 2.5M : http://hazard.com/msds/f2/blp/blpqm.html
H2O2, 3% : https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/40069.htm
NH4OH, 5M : http://hazard.com/msds/f2/cld/cldfb.html
Potassium chromate 10% : http://hazard.com/msds/f2/bkt/bktyt.html
Silver nitrate, 0.01M : https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/88034.htm
Potassium permanganate, 0.002M : http://hazard.com/msds/f2/ccv/ccvnc.html
Phenolphthalein : http://hazard.com/msds/f2/cjh/cjhvz.html
Sodium carbonate,10H2O : https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/21083.htm
Sodium bicarbonate : http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/s2954.htm
Glucose : https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/82498.htm
Magnesium chloride.6H2O : http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/m0156.htm
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 2.9
Reagent
Water sample
Concentration
Amount
used/produced
500mL
Pot dichromate
0.3g
Mercuric sulphate
0.6g
Silver sulphate in
conc H2SO4
0.5% w/v
40mL
nphenylanthranilic
acid indicator
HCl
0.1%
10 drops
0.05M
50mL
pH 10 buffer
142mL NH4OH
+17.5g NH4Cl
/L
20mL
Eriochrome Black
T indicator
Few drops
EDTA
2g in 150mL
triethanolamine
+ 50mL
alcohol
0.01M
H2SO4
2.5M
Few drops
H2O2
3%
Few drops
NH4OH
5M
Few drops
Pot chromate
indicator
Silver nitrate
10%
Few drops
0.01M
20mL
KMnO4
0.002M
Few drops
phenolphthalein
0.25g in
50%alcohol
Few drops
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50mL
Expected hazards
Maybe irritating to skin
and eyes.
Strong
oxidizer.Carcinogen
Inhalation is harmful,
maybe fatal.
Corrosive, strong
oxidizer. Causes burns.
May cause cancer.
Causes eye, skin and
respiratory tract
irritation.
Mildly corrosive.
Pungent, vapors cause
irritation to the eyes and
splashes may cause
severe pain and eye
injury.
May cause irritation of
the eyes, skin, digestive
tract and respiratory
tract.
May cause irritation to
eyes.
Corrosive
May cause respiratory
and digestive tract
irritation. May cause
skin irritation. May
cause severe eye
irritation and possible
injury.
Pungent, irritates eyes
and mucous membranes.
May cause cancer.
Causes irritation to skin
and eyes. Blue-gray
permanent discoloration
of the skin.
May be harmful if
inhaled or swallowed,
irritating to eyes, skin
and mucous membrane.
Fire hazard
Treatment/Disposal
Wash spillages away
with plenty of water.
Avoid combustibles.
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.
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.
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.
Keep away from ignition
sources.
Wash spillages away
with plenty of water.
Ferrous amm
sulphate
0.05N
50mL
Water Sample: Glucose
Na2CO3 .10H2O
NaHCO3
MgCl2
Cr2O7-
+
<0.2g
<1g
<0.5g
<0.5g
6Fe2+
+
Irritant.
Wash spillages away
with plenty of water.
1L
14H2+
2Cr3+
6Fe3+ +
+
( ~1.25mmol)
CO32-
2H+
+
H2CO3
( ~0.15mmol)
HCO3-
H+
+
CO2
+
H2O
(~0.12mmol)
Ca2+
+
H2Y2-
CaY2-
+
Cl-
AgCl
+ 2H+
(~50μmol)
AgNO3
(~50μmol)
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+
NO3-
7H2O