1. About Risk Assessment
Sophia CHENG
3 Nov 2009

2. Discussion on Risk Assessment

3. Risk Assessment
An analysis of a practical activity to identify hazards and to take precautions to minimise the risk
Procedures:
Identifying hazards (Materials / Procedures / Equipment)
Assessing how likely the hazard will actually cause harm
Deciding what control measures to reduce risk to acceptable level
Finding how to dispose of hazardous residues

4. Discussion on Risk Assessment – Sample 1
Investigation: Self-heating pack
Risk Assessment
Hazardous substances being used or made, hazardous procedures equipment
Nature of the hazards
Control measures and precautions
Emergency action to be taken in case of accident
Sources of information
Copper Sulphate
respiratory tract, eye, skin irritant
wear protective gloves, ensure good ventilation
eyes: flush with clean water
skin: wash with soap and water
MSDS No: BSLBP
Zinc metal powder
may form combustion dust concentrations in air
water reaction
keep in tightly closed container
store in a cool, dry area away from source of heat, moisture
inhalation: remove to flesh air
ingestion: vomiting immediately
MSDS No: Z0858
Iron filings
cause irritation to eyes and respiratory tract
avoid dust formation and control ignition sources
skin contact: wash exposed area with soap and water
MSDS No: 17495
Calcium oxide
causes severe irritation and burns to every area of contact (react with water)
store in cool, dry, ventilated area
do not induce vomiting give large quantities of water or milk if available
MSDS No: C0462

5. Opinion on Sample 1 from Teacher A

6. Response to Risk Assessment – Sample 1
Investigation: Self-heating pack
Risk Assessment
Hazardous substances being used or made, hazardous procedures equipment
Nature of the hazards
Control measures and precautions
Emergency action to be taken in case of accident
Sources of information
Copper Sulphate
respiratory tract, eye, skin irritant
wear protective gloves, ensure good ventilation
eyes: flush with clean water
skin: wash with soap and water
MSDS No: BSLBP
Zinc metal powder
may form combustion dust concentrations in air
water reaction
keep in tightly closed container
store in a cool, dry area away from source of heat, moisture
inhalation: remove to flesh air
ingestion: vomiting immediately
MSDS No: Z0858
Iron filings
cause irritation to eyes and respiratory tract
avoid dust formation and control ignition sources
skin contact: wash exposed area with soap and water
MSDS No: 17495
Calcium oxide
causes severe irritation and burns to every area of contact (react with water)
store in cool, dry, ventilated area
do not induce vomiting give large quantities of water or milk if available
MSDS No: C0462

7. Safety information about chemicals
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS); CityU
International Chemical Safety Cards; ILO

8. Hierarchy of Controls Order Control Example 1 Eliminate
Removing the hazard, e.g. taking a hazardous piece of equipment out of service 2
Substitute
Replacing a hazardous substance or process with a less hazardous one 3
Isolate
Isolating the hazard from the person at risk, e.g. using a guard or barrier 4
Engineer
Redesign an experiment, piece of equipment or process to make it less hazardous 5
Administrative
Adopt safe work practices. Provide appropriate training, instruction or information 6
Personal Protective Equipment
Use of lab-coat, gloves, safety glasses, safety footwear, dust masks, face shields, goggles, etc.

9. Another Example of Risk Assessment Form (1)
Title of the experiment / task
Hazard identification – Equipment used & experimental design
(Consider what hazards are posed by, both the equipment and the experimental procedures. What harm can happen to people or equipment?)
Hazard identification – Materials
Hazard(s): tick if applicable
Hazardous substance
Reactants / Products
Flammable
Toxic
Corrosive
Harmful
Irritant
Oxidising
Other
(Please detail)
Control adopted for risk minimization
Flammable chemical
Volume: small / med. / large
□ No ignition sources
□ Use in fumehood
□ Temp. of reaction controlled at _____ oC
□ Other: ____________
Toxic chemical
□ Minimize the amount to ________ g/cm3
□ Wear personal protective equipment: ________________
________________
□ Other: _____________
Corrosive chemical
□ Use more dilute chemical of ______ mol/dm3
□ Wear personal protective equipment: _____________
□ Other: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­_____________
Oxidising chemical
□ Avoid contact with organic chemicals, reactive metals or metal powders
□ Keep away from flammable substances
□ Other: ______________
Chronic health
□ Perform experiment in fumehood
□ Operator awareness
□ Avoid if allergic reaction develops
□ Other: ­­­­­­­­­­­___________

10. Another Example of Risk Assessment Form (2)
Hazard identification – Materials
Hazard(s): tick if applicable
Hazardous substance
Reactants / Products
Flammable
Toxic
Corrosive
Harmful
Irritant
Oxidising
Other
(Please detail)

11. Another Example of Risk Assessment Form (3)
Control adopted for risk minimization
Flammable chemical
Volume: small / med. / large
□ No ignition sources
□ Use in fumehood
□ Temp. of reaction controlled at ____ oC
□ Other: ____________
Toxic chemical
□ Minimize the amount to ___ g/cm3
□ Wear personal protective equipment: ________________
________________
□ Other: _____________
Corrosive chemical
□ Use more dilute chemical of ______ mol/dm3
□ Wear personal protective equipment: _____________
Oxidising chemical
□ Avoid contact with organic chemicals, reactive metals or metal powders
□ Keep away from flammable substances
□ Other: ______________
Chronic health
□ Perform experiment in fumehood
□ Operator awareness
□ Avoid if allergic reaction develops
□ Other: ___________

12. Another Example of Risk Assessment Form (4)
Further risk control measures
(List any control measures implemented, which are not listed above.)
(Review the current controls using the Hierarchy of Controls: )
Order
Control
Example 1
Eliminate
Removing the hazard, e.g. taking a hazardous piece of equipment out of service 2
Substitute
Replacing a hazardous substance or process with a less hazardous one 3
Isolate
Isolating the hazard from the person at risk, e.g. using a guard or barrier 4
Engineer
Redesign an experiment, piece of equipment or process to make it less hazardous 5
Administrative
Adopt safe work practices. Provide appropriate training, instruction or information 6
Personal Protective Equipment
Use of lab-coat, gloves, safety glasses, safety footwear, dust masks, face shields, goggles, etc.

13. Another Example of Risk Assessment Form (5)
Source(s) of information
Disposal of residues

14. Example of Risk Assessment - Volhard Method (1)

15. Example of Risk Assessment - Volhard Method (2)

16. Example of Risk Assessment - Volhard Method (3)

17. Example of Risk Assessment - Volhard Method (4)

18. Thank You!