Date: Review Date: Assessment Reference: Workers involved: Experiment or Procedure (include a brief description, including equipment used and frequency of exposure): Phytolith extraction from soil, separation and extraction using HCL (7-10%), (NaPO3)6(5%), H2O2(33%) at 30 o C Extraction using Sodium Polytungstate Name of assessor & senior member of the group, leader or supervisor Signature: Date: Note: This risk assessment should be reviewed at least annually and when there is any significant change in procedure. 1
Substances to be used (List ALL substances including solvents, expected products and by-products): Substances Approx. Quantity Physical Form i.e. dust, vapour, volatile liquid etc Hazards i.e. flammable, corrosive, irritant, readily absorbed through skin Exposure Route i.e. skin, eyes Hydrochloric Acid HCl:Conc and dilute (SOP 12, 13) 0-100ml Liquid Corrosive R23, R24, R25, Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin, if swallowed. R34, Causes burns.r36 R37, R38 Irritation to eyes respiratory system and skin Sodium Polytungstate 0-100ml Powder-Liquid R20, R21,R22:harmful by inhalation, ingestion and skin contact:r52 harmful to aquatic organisms Sodium Hexametaphosp hate (NaP03)6: conc and dilute 0-100ml Powder-Liquid Irritant. R22 Harmful by ingestion R36, R37, r38 Irritation to eyes, respiratory system and skin 2
Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2:>30% 0-100ml Liquid Corrosive, R34, R41 causes burns, risk of serious to the eyes, R8 contact with combustible material can cause a fire R20, R21, R22, harmful by inhalation, ingestion and skin contact. Methanol 100 ml Liquid Highly flammable, R11. Toxic by inhalation, contact with skin and if swallowed, R23, R24, R25, R39. Risk implications: Is there any substance used or formed that might give rise to explosion (e.g. flammable gases/liquids)? Yes / No If yes, how can you ensure that no explosion occurs? Is it reasonably foreseeable that the lower explosive limit will be reached in the event of a leak/spillage? Yes / No If yes, a more detailed risk assessment is required. Is there likelihood of copious amounts of gas being released or thermal runaway? Can any of the substances be substituted for a less hazardous substance? Yes / No Yes / No What could happen if there was catastrophic failure of the apparatus? Spillage of chemicals on bench and in fume hood In the event of an accident, who might be exposed? Researcher, or any other lab members, _or people who may be in the vicinity. Are any of the substances listed above R42, R43, R45, R46, R49, R60, R61, R64? (If yes, contact Occupational Health and refer where necessary to the University Code of Practice on the Safe Use of Carcinogens etc) / No 3
Control measures to be used (continue on a separate sheet if necessary): Containment: Personal Protective Equipment: Fume cupboard Yes / No Lab coat / overalls Yes Glove box / isolator Yes/ No Chemical apron No Safety cabinet Yes/ No Gloves Yes 4
Local exhaust ventilation Yes/ No Other (specify) Eye Protection Yes Respiratory protective equipment No Other (specify) Are any additional controls required? (Consider nearby sources of ignition, formation of explosive atmospheres/mixtures, asphyxiation in confined spaces) No lone working with concentrated acids 5
Disposal measures to be used during and after the procedure: (Also consider by-products and washings) Dilute acids (excluding HF) and dilute hydrogen peroxide may go down sink with copious amounts of water, all other chemicals must be decanted into the appropriate labelled waste bottle, do not mix chemical waste, do not put solvent wastes in plastic containers. (Check with LB if no waste containers available). These will disposed of according to University Regs. Emergency Procedures (emphasise any special hazards): Shutdown Procedures: Action in the event of fire (type of fire extinguisher): Water or CO 2 Action in the event of spillage or uncontrolled release: Wear PPE as for normal use Mop up with spill granules/paper towels, depending on quantity Alert lab technician of incident 6
Emergency treatment for personnel in the event of contamination, exposure to fumes or other adverse effects Eyes:Rinse with water for 20 mins call first aider Skin:Rinse with water for 20 mins call first aider Inhalation:Ventilation with fresh air call first aider Risk Assessment Hazard Effect Risk Action Hydrochloric acid burns Hydrochloric acid inhalation/swallowing Sodium Hexametaphospate (NaPO3)6 inhalation and swallowing Hydrogen peroxide H2O2 burns Sodium polytungstate inhalation/swallowing Burns from hot block/oven Skin/eye Lung intestinal Lung/intestinal Skin/eye Lung/intestinal Skin Wear appropriate PPE, use concentrated acid in fume hood, ensure user has had appropriate safety training and supervision by experienced lab member Wear appropriate PPE, use concentrated acid in fume hood, ensure user has had appropriate safety training and supervision by experienced lab member Wear appropriate PPE, use concentrated acid in fume hood, ensure user has had appropriate safety training and supervision by experienced lab member Wear appropriate PPE, use in fume hood, ensure user has had appropriate safety training and supervision by experienced lab member Wear appropriate PPE, ensure user has had appropriate safety training and supervision by experienced lab member Wear appropriate PPE, ensure user has had appropriate safety training and supervision by experienced lab member 7
Methanol inhalation/swallowing /skin contact Lung/intestinal /skin Wear appropriate PPE, use in fume cupboard, ensure user has had appropriate safety training and supervision by experienced lab member Notes: Risk scale: low, medium, high 8