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1. Introduction
The legislation governing Hazardous Substances and Dangerous Goods requires that all operations and experiments involving hazardous materials must have documentation showing an assessment of the risks involved and the implementation of controls to minimise exposure or chance of an emergency.
Applying the risk management approach to safety in the laboratory means completing a risk assessment of any research project or experiment before work begins. Every time a new experiment is to be carried out, a risk assessment must be performed and documented by the researcher in consultation with the supervisor. A risk assessment should identify potential hazards and determine the actions or controls required to eliminate or reduce any risks to the health of workers.
Carrying out a risk assessment for an experiment requires three simple steps:
IDENTIFY the hazards and problems associated with the substances and tasks
ASSESS the risk of exposure to the hazard
CONTROL the risk by implementation of procedures and precautions
2. The Risk Assessment Protocol
Risk assessment involves considering the following steps when undertaking a research project:
- Determine the scope of the project or experiment.
Define the purpose of the project, where, when and how will the work be done, and who will do the work. Ascertain the level of their knowledge, skills and expertise.
- Identify the substances and processes/techniques
Include disposal of waste produced in this analysis.
- Determine the potential hazards involved.
Gather information about the substances used and produced, whether they be solid, liquid, gas, vapour, dust, mist, or fume. Determine likely hazards by reading material safety data sheets (MSDS), label, or other technical reference. Are there other possible hazards associated with the project (electrical, radiation, ergonomic etc).
- Evaluate the level of risk
Evaluation is based on your knowledge of the hazards involved and what can go wrong. Assess the risk to health associated with particular jobs or tasks using a hazardous substance. This involves considering the:-
- nature of the potential health hazard
- severity of the potential health hazard
- degree of exposure, including:-
- route of exposure (inhalation, absorption, ingestion, inoculation),
- level of exposure
- adequacy of control measures in minimising exposure
- Determine the actions and controls to be taken
This may include precautions such as the use of special protective equipment, use of a fume cupboard, specific handling procedures, presence of a colleague whilst carrying out the procedure or any particular disposal method required.
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The whole process should be monitored and reviewed to ensure that initial evaluation and controls were effective. Re-evaluation of the risks and controls will be necessary with changes in substances, processes and procedures.
3. Responsibilities
In a research laboratory, the School of Chemistry Laboratory Work Risk Assessment should be completed by the research worker for each new experiment undertaken. Completion of the risk assessment form plays an integral role in the preparation and design of an experiment.
The research worker should discuss the assessment with a supervisor or his/her nominated senior researcher. The laboratory worker must clearly print their name and the supervisor is required to sign the risk assessment form. Supervisors can be made individually liable for breaches of this requirement under the legislation. Senior research and academic staff performing experiments should discuss the risk assessment with a colleague and obtain their co-signature before proceeding.
If the risk assessment indicates that the procedure is HIGH risk, the Head of School must also sign the risk assessment form. If the procedure is assessed as an EXTREME risk both the Head of School and Dean must sign the risk assessment form.
In a teaching laboratory, the School of Chemistry Laboratory Work Risk Assessment should be completed by the course co-ordinator or the technical staff responsible for that subject. The subject course co-ordinator must approve and sign all risk assessments. Completion of risk assessments may be set as an exercise for undergraduate students, however course co- ordinators should also have completed a risk assessment archived for each experiment. The University OH&S Unit conducts a number of courses that can assist laboratory workers in risk management. These can be viewed at http://staff.uow.edu.au/ohs/training/
3.1. Definition of a “new Experiment”
A new experiment is defined as an experiment that has not been performed by the laboratory worker before in the laboratory. Initially, all experiments performed by the laboratory worker may be defined as new. However over time, minor modifications to procedures and repeated experiments will occur. These experiments can use the existing documentation or a photocopied, redated and re-initialised form.
Please note the following:
- Any modification that introduces a new hazardous substance constitutes a new experiment.
- Any modification involving a new variable bringing different risks and precautions (eg high temperature, pressure) also constitutes a new experiment.
- Scaling up (or a major change in the scale) the experiment does not necessarily involve the same risks and will be considered to be a new experiment.
If there is doubt fill out a new form - it only takes a short time and is time well spent, as part of the experimental planning process.
4. Filling out the Risk Assessment form
4.1. Preliminary Investigation using MSDS
Before starting an experiment, gather all the necessary information about the experiment, its design and importantly the MSDS for ALL hazardous substances involved (if possible). Remember that the product in a reaction may be both unknown and hazardous – treat it with caution, if the hazards are unclear.
A number of different avenues exist as far as locating MSDS information:
- ChemAlert - the ChemAlert system located via https://chemalert.rmt.com.au/uow/
- or from the School of Chemistry OHS webpage.
- MSDS FILE - located in each laboratory
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Res/Teach/Tech Circle appropriate work area Research, Teaching or Technical Include Subject number and experiment title where appropriate Repetitive Task Is the same task going to be repeated? If so the same RA form can be used. However any changed in experimental conditions such as volume, temperature etc a new RA should be completed. Services Used : o Water o Power o N 2 Temp …….oC Pressure…… Check all the services used in the task.
- Include an abbreviated description of all processes along with the conditions of the experiment and any further services and equipment to be utilised.
- List any School Guidelines, UOW OH&S Guidelines, Legislation, Australian Standards, Codes of Practice that have been significant in the design of this experimental process. Appendix A contains some OH&S documentation with a code. This code can be entered into the risk assessment.
Step 3. Hazard Identification – Equipment Used & Experimental Design
Under this section please include all equipment used in the experiment.
- Consider what hazards are posed by, both the equipment and the experimental design. What harm can happen to people or equipment?
- What controls are already in place?
- Do you need a safe work procedure and/or standard operating procedure for the experiment or equipment?
This may also include:-
- Hazards/First Aid/Emergency Action: This includes special comment on whether the material is carcinogenic (known, suspected etc.), mutagenic etc. ARE SPECIAL FIRST AID MEASURES REQUIRED?
- Complex Processes: This includes basic as well as more technically difficult manipulations such as vacuum distillation, working under inert atmosphere, transfer of pyrophoric materials etc.
Step 4. Hazard Identification – Materials
Determine which substances are hazardous.
- An MSDS should be consulted for each of these substances to identify the associated hazards: Flammable, Corrosive, Toxic, Harmful, Irritant, Oxidising or Other.
- Hazard Ratings (Min, Low, Mod, High, Extreme) and Dangerous Goods Classifications are given on ChemAlert MSDS.
- A substance may have more than one classification.
- Include all solvents, reactants, drying agents etc.
- An experienced laboratory worker should consider the reaction mixture/products as an entity as well.
- The laboratory worker should tick or score the reagents and the chemicals.
Step 5. Controls Adopted for Risk Minimisation
In this table check the boxes, circle or comment as appropriate. In general, this section should be closely checked by your supervisor or other nominated competent person.
- Flammability Vol S M L This represents the volume of material being used S= Small <50 mL, M=
Medium 50-500 mL and L= Large > 500 mL
- Toxic The lab worker should be aware of the way in which the material needs to be taken up to exhibit toxic
behaviour i.e. orally, skin absorption etc.
- Body Contact includes materials, which are toxic through skin absorption, and materials, which are
corrosive etc. The user(s) need to be aware of the different possibilities
- Reactivity user(s) needs to be aware of any particular reactive hazards i.e. Reacts violently with water etc.
- Chronic Effects relates to any potential long-term health effects. The user(s) need to be aware of all known
long-term health effects.
Step 6. Further Risk Control Measures
List any control measures implemented, which are not listed above. This section can detail control measures adopted for instrumentation or equipment. This may include items such as use of instrument guards.
This section also allows for review of current controls. Are the controls implemented effective? The method of ensuring that risks are controlled effectively is by using the “hierarchy of controls”. The Hierarchy of Controls are:-
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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.
Step 7. The Risk Matrix
The Risk Matrix is a summary of the hazardous material risks involved in any process. To use the risk matrix:
- Consider the consequences
Consequence Personal Damage
$ Damage Process Interruption
Environmental Impact Major Extensive Injury or death
$100K > 1week Community alarm
Moderate Medical Treatment
$50 - $100K 1day – 1 week Off site impact
Minor First Aid Treatment
$5-$50K 1 hour – 1day On site impact
Insignificant No treatment <$5K < 1 hour Potential impact
- Consider the likelihood A The event is expected to occur in most circumstances B The event could occur at some time C The event could occur, but only rarely D The event may occur, but probably never will
- Take step 1 rating and select the correct column on the matrix
- Take step 2 rating and select the correct row on the matrix
- The calculated risk score is where the two rating cross on the matrix E = Extreme H = High M = Medium L = Low N =negligible
Step 8. Conclusion of Risk Assessment to Health
In consultation with the supervisor/senior colleague, the laboratory worker should make a judgement as to level of risk. The assessment may conclude one of two general things:
Simple and Obvious
If your assessment concludes that either: (i) there are no significant risks; or (ii) there are some risks but that adequate controls are in place, then the experiment may be signed and authorised, and may proceed. By signing this, it is a statement that YOU and your supervisor think that the hazardous substances are already or can be readily controlled in accordance with the MSDS and there is not a significant risk to health. Fill in the details of any emergency action and list the equipment used in the experiment. The assessment is then complete.
Complex – High, Extreme or Unknown Risks that are not Controlled If your assessment leads you to believe that either (i) the risk of significant exposure to the hazardous substance(s) cannot be adequately controlled then you should go back and look at your experimental design, alter it and engineer such controls necessary to minimise exposure ; or (ii) the hazards of particular substances are unknown and that you do not have sufficient information to make a judgement; then you should NOT have the experiment approved AND further assessment of the risks, and information gathering and experimental re-design is necessary. If you are dealing with something of this nature, then you will have to carry out a detailed risk assessment, and have it submitted to the school safety committee for assessment and approval.
(iii) If the experiment is assessed as HIGH risk, the Head of School will also have to sign the risk assessment form, before commencement. (iv) If the experiment is EXTREME risk, the Head of School and Dean will also have to sign the risk assessment form, before commencement.
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APPENDIX A : OH&S Documentation
HAZARD OUS SUBSTANCES
AS:337(6) Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) (National Standards), 1995 No. 337, Part 6 - Hazardous Substances. NOHSC:1008 WorkSafe ASCC, Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances, NOHSC:1008, March 1994. RISK ASSESSMENT & MANAGEMENT OHS106.8 Risk Management Guidelines
http://staff.uow.edu.au/content/groups/public/@web/@ohs/documents/doc/uow016948.pdf
Risk Management
http://staff.uow.edu.au/ohs/managingrisk/riskmanagementprinciples/index.html
OHS060.4 Resolving an OH&S Hazard or Issue
http://staff.uow.edu.au/content/groups/public/@web/@ohs/documents/doc/uow019781.pdf
NOHSC:3017 ASCC, Guidance Note for the Assessment of Health Risks Arising from the Use of Hazardous Substances, NOHSC:3017, March 1994. NOHSC:1005 ASCC, Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances, NOHSC:1005, 2007, March 1994.
GENERAL LAB SAFETY
NOHSC:2012 ASCC, National Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace Substances, NOHSC:2012, March 1994.
