Use this form to assist you to complete risk assessments for hazardous activities and processes. Any serious or ongoing hazards should be reported via RiskWare to ensure that appropriate corrective actions are tracked and completed. Faculty/School: Risk Assessment Reference Number: School of Life and Environmental Sciences (SOLES) RA013.1 Initial Issue Date: Jun 2017 Next Review Date: Jun 2018 Risk Assessment Name: Prepared by: Use, storage and disposal of flammable liquids Rhiarn Hoban and Wen Li Responsible supervisor/s: Markus Hofer (Chair Safety committee) Identify the activity and the location Activity or process: The use and storage of flammable liquids in laboratories and their disposal. Identify who may be at risk This may include fellow workers, students, visitors, contractors and the public Persons at risk: All staff and students at SOLES that work in areas where flammables are used and stored. Location: Chemical store, research and teaching labs at SOLES Risk assessment team (Who was consulted?): WHS committee List of Legislation, Code of Practice, Australian Standards, Guidance Materials used to determine control measures See Safe Work Procedure SWP013 Consult SDS of specific chemical Risk Assessment Methodology Assessing the risk is a brainstorming exercise, which is most effectively carried out in a team environment with the people required to complete the activity or process. Most activities or processes are broken down into a variety of separate tasks. For each task, consider the hazards, the potential harm or negative outcomes and the conditions required for those negative outcomes to occur. Whenever assessing the health and safety risks associated with a task, always consider the following primary risk factors. The physical activities required to complete the task e.g. repetitive movement, high force, physical exertion, awkward posture The work environment e.g. lighting, work layout, traffic, thermal comfort, working in isolation The nature of the hazard itself e.g. working with chemicals, microorganisms, radiation, machinery, potentially violent clients The individual workers involved, e.g. level of training, skills, experience, health, age, physical capacity The information gathered from the risk assessment process must be used to develop a Safe Work Procedure (SWP).
Task or scenario Hazard/s Associated harm, e.g. what could go wrong? Existing Risk Controls Current risk rating Use the Risk Matrix Any additional controls are required? 1 Residual risk rating Use the Risk Matrix Use of flammable liquid on bench or in fumehood Carrying/transporting flammables Fire Inhalation of vapours Release of vapours Burns to people in close proximity In extreme cases, asphyxiation may occur. Dizziness, headache, etc. can be associated with inhalation of large amounts of volatile solvents Cut from broken glass Spillage of Wear Appropriate PPE including safety glasses, lab coat, thermos gloves and non-adsorbent footwear. Keep volatile solvents away from ignition sources (greater than 3 m). Keep containers of volatile liquids sealed when not being used. Users to know the locations of the nearest fire extinguisher, fire blanket, and spill kit and know how to use these in an emergency. Manipulation of flammable chemicals should be carried out in a working fume hood whenever possible. Do not use flammables near naked flames (e.g. Bunsen burners) and other ignition sources such as power points and electrical equipment (e.g. hot plates, fridges and freezers). Users to complete online working with chemical safety training. Bottles of flammable liquids are to be transported using a Winchester carrier or similar. Level 5 medium Level 5 medium Volatile solvents should be used exclusively in a fumehood or well ventilated area to prevent vapour build up. When volatile solvents are being used, no ignition sources should be nearby. No 1 Always consider whether or not it is possible to eliminated the hazard or hazardous task altogether. If this is not possible, refer to the hierarchy of risk controls.
Storing flammables in the laboratory Chemical spill Broken glass. Fuel source for fires flammable liquid. In extreme cases, asphyxiation may occur. Dizziness, headache, etc. can be associated with inhalation of large amounts of volatile solvents Excess flammables will increase the damage caused by a fire Smaller bottles should be transported inside a secondary container where possible (e.g. polyethylene). Use two hands to carry bottles. Use non-breakable container where possible (PE for ethanol is now standard). Wear PPE, especially eye protection, lab coat and gloves. Keep an appropriate spill kit in lab and be informed how to use it (Ensure you are properly trained). Minimise the amount of flammables kept in the work area. Store these in dedicated flammables/solvent cabinets away from incompatible materials (e.g. oxidisers and acids), and away from heat/ignition sources. Medium L4 No Decanting flammables between containers Disposal of flammable waste Spill Flammable and may ignite. Spill creating flammable vapours increasing the risk of fire. Release of toxic, corrosive or carcinogenic fumes. Burns caused by fire Keep minimum volume required in lab. Wear Appropriate PPE including safety glasses, lab coat, thermos gloves and non-adsorbent footwear. Flammables should be used in a well-ventilated area, preferably a working fume hood (volumes > 100 ml). Keep an appropriate spill kit and PPE in lab and be informed how to use. Flammable chemicals may also have other hazardous properties such as toxic corrosive, carcinogenic, etc these properties should also be taken into account when storing/using the chemicals. Volatile, flammable solvents should be disposed in an appropriately labelled container not poured down sink. Dispose of hazardous chemical waste RA/SWP008 Low L5 Low L5 No Complete Chemical Safety Certificate Page 3
Mixing of incompatible compounds and chemicals Burns caused by volatile reactions, release of toxic, corrosive or carcinogenic fumes Always read appropriate SDS to ensure chemicals are compatible. Label all waste containers appropriately with chemical and GHS symbol. Page 4
Implementation of Additional Risk Controls Additional controls needed Resources required Responsible person Date of implementation RiskWare Reference Write the Safe Work Procedure (SWP) Time (approx 1 hour) WHS committee 8.6.2017 N/A Train workers to complete process in accordance with SWP Time supervisor and workers Supervisor N/A University and local WHS training Time supervisor and workers Supervisor N/A Chemical safety online training Workers Workers List emergency controls for how to deal with fires, spills or exposure to hazardous substances and/or emergency shutdown procedures Emergency Statement If seriously injured call 000 for immediate emergency care. Contact your local first aid officer and notify campus security on 9351-3333. Spill Statement General spill procedures: If safe to do so, control the source of release or contain the spill. Evacuate and secure the immediate area and determine if local and/or emergency services assistance is required. If the incident can be managed locally: Ensure that two trained staff are allocated to clean-up the spill using appropriate personal protective equipment. Absorb any free liquids, collect any solids and/or ventilate the area. Collect, label and dispose of spill residue as hazardous waste and decontaminate the affected area and equipment. Any injuries or incidents must be reported immediately to your supervisor. An incident report must be logged with RiskWare within 24 hours of every injury or near miss. REVIEW Scheduled review date 1 year 2 years 3 years Are control measures in place (YES/NO) Are controls eliminating or minimizing the risk (YES/NO) Are there any new problems with the risk (YES/NO) Reviewed by: Actual Review date:
Risk Matrix. RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE Use this form to document Safe Work Procedures for hazardous activities and processes. The information in your Safe Work Procedure (SWP) should be supported by a risk assessment. Faculty/School: School of Life and Environmental Sciences Initial Issue Date:Jun 2017 Next Review Date: Jun 2018 SWP Reference Number: SWP013 Version:1 Version Issue Date: Jun 2017 SWP Title: Use, storage and disposal of flammable liquids Prepared by: Rhiarn Hoban and Wen Li Responsible supervisor/s: Markus Hofer (Chair Safety Committee) List the Hazards and risk controls as per risk assessment Associated risk assessment reference: Hazards Risk controls RA013.1 Fire, Vapours PPE (including face shield, safety glasses, lab coat, gloves, nonadsorbent footwear.) Personal Training List resources required including personal protective clothing, chemicals and equipment needed 1. Safety glasses (face shield if appropriate) 2. Lab coat or gown 3. Gloves (refer to specific chemical SDS for appropriate glove selection, but nitrile gloves are appropriate for most solvents/flammables) 4. Fully enclosed shoes (preferably leather) with non-slip soles 5. Avoid wearing flammable clothing (e.g. synthetic fabrics like polyester) or clothing which produces static electricity. List step by step instructions or order for undertaking the task 1. Obtain and read SDS for each flammable chemical to be handled. 2. Wear PPE, especially eye protection, lab coat and gloves. 3. Know the location of the nearest appropriate spill kit, fire extinguisher, fire blanket and emergency exits before beginning work. All workers should be trained in fire control measures before working with flammables. 4. Large bottles of flammable liquids should be transported using a Winchester carrier. Smaller bottles should be transported inside a secondary container where possible (e.g. polyethylene). Use two hands to carry bottles. 5. Flammables should be used in a well-ventilated area, preferably a working fume hood (volumes > 100 ml) 6. Only use the smallest practical quantities of flammables for the experiment being performed. Lids of containers should be kept tightly closed when not in use. 7. Do not use flammables near naked flames (e.g. Bunsen burners) and other ignition sources such as power points and electrical equipment (e.g. hot plates). 8. Flammables should not be used within 3 metres from any potential ignition source (e.g. electrical devices including fridges and freezers).
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE 9. Ensure all containers containing flammable chemicals are appropriately labelled including the correct GHS pictogram for flammable liquids.. 10. Dispose of excess/unused flammable chemical waste into designated flammable/solvent waste receptacles for disposal as hazardous wastes do not put down sink. List emergency shutdown procedures List Emergency procedures for how to deal with fires, spills or exposure to hazardous substances Emergency Statement If seriously injured call 000 for immediate emergency care. Contact your local first aid officer and notify campus security on 9351-3333. Spill Statement General spill procedures: If safe to do so, control the source of release or contain the spill. Evacuate and secure the immediate area and determine if local and/or emergency services assistance is required. If the incident can be managed locally: Ensure that two trained staff are allocated to clean-up the spill using appropriate personal protective equipment. Absorb any free liquids, collect any solids and/or ventilate the area. Collect, label and dispose of spill residue as hazardous waste and decontaminate the affected area and equipment. Any injuries or incidents must be reported immediately to your supervisor. An incident report must be logged with RiskWare within 24 hours of every injury or near miss. List Clean up and waste disposal requirements 1. Consult SDS for clean-up and waste disposal requirement 2. Keep an appropriate spill kit and appropriate PPE in lab and be informed how to use them (ensure you are properly trained). 3. For minor spills, some liquids may be able to be absorbed with paper towel and/or left to evaporate overnight if in a fume hood. Any material used to clean up spills should be placed in a labelled plastic bag (e.g. label with name of chemical and Flammable ), then leave bag open in fume hood overnight to allow any residual vapours to disperse. Seal bag, and dispose of as hazardous chemical waste (See SOP/risk assessment for chemical waste). 4. Dispose of excess/unused flammable chemical waste into designated flammable/solvent waste receptacles for disposal as hazardous wastes under no circumstances is flammable waste to go down sink. List references used in the development of this SWP, e.g. codes of practice Consult SDS of specific chemical. Refer also to: RA013: Use, Storage and Disposal of Flammable liquids RA/SWP008: Disposal of hazardous Chemical waste RA/SWP016: Use of Fume Hood Page 2
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE List competency required qualifications, certificates, licensing, training - e.g. course or instruction: Work Health and Safety Induction Chemical Safety Biosafety Certificate Staff approved to assess competence for this SWP Laboratory Supervisor / Manager SWP Sign off sheet SWP name and version: In signing this section the assessor agrees that the following persons are competent in following this SWP. Name Signature Date Competent Name Assessor/Authoriser of Assessor/Authoriser signature Page 3