Download SPARQ-ed Risk Assessment Sheet : Flow Cytometry – FACS Analysis

SPARQ-ed Risk Assessment Sheet : Flow Cytometry – FACS Analysis
Description of Risk
Exposure to Aerosol During
Vortexing: Vortexing cell suspension
occurs many times during sample
preparation and prior to analysis.
There is a risk that aerosols may be
produced and inhaled or splash to the
eye occur during vortexing.
Eye or Skin Damage Caused by Laser:
Use of high power lasers : UV laser,
488 green laser, red HeNe laser.
Waste Disposal : All users using the
flow cytometers are required to
empty the waste tank and fill the
buffer tank if they have used more
than half the buffer.
Hazard
Source
Mechanical
Radiation
Chemical
Current Controls
Analyse / Evaluate Risk
Event
All FACS proedures are
performed under PC2
conditions using good
laboratory practices and
all general FACS
Aerosol inhalation or
procedures are
splash to eye could
documented.
occur.
Mouse samples used are
non hazardous. PPE
worn (safety glasses are
available).
Category
Consequences
Exposure
Probability
Overall Risk Category
(see explanation on last page)
Exposure
Prob
Frequent :
Substantial : Seek
Contact with or
Vortexing during
medical attention in
Conceivable : It is
exposure to
sample
the event of a splash.
possible but unlikely
biological
preparation
Eye wash stations are
to occur.
factors.
occurs
available.
frequently
Use of the covers
supplied by the
Exposure to eye or
Exposure to
manufacturer.
skin damage if cover
radiation.
Avoid direct exposure to fell off the laser.
the laser light.
Substantial : Radiation
can be hazardous to
the eyes and skin, and
a number of cases of
serious injury,
including loss of sight
have been
documented.
Occasional :
Exposure to a
direct laser
would be very
rare.
Practically
Impossible :
Machine is regularly
maintained. With the
current controls in
place it would be
highly unlikely for
personnel to be
exposed to a laser
source.
Minor : Most likely skin
or vapour exposure
from spills. The waste
Most likely event is
tank contains a 5%
Frequent :
Personnel training.
skin or vapour
Single contact bleach solution, to kill
Empty waste
Conceivable : Has
PPE worn (safety glasses exposure from spills with chemical or cells that come
tank after each never happened.
available).
when carrying the
substance.
through into the waste.
run.
waste tank.
This may require first
aid if it comes into
contact with broken
skin.
VR
R
U
O
F
C
AC
Low
Mod
Subs
Subs
High
VH
QP
Low
Low
Mod
Mod
Subs
High
UP
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Mod
Subs
RP
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod
C
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
PI
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
VR
R
U
O
F
C
AC
Low
Mod
Subs
Subs
High
VH
QP
Low
Low
Mod
Mod
Subs
High
UP
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Mod
Subs
RP
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod
C
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
PI
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Prob
Prob
Exposure
Exposure
VR
R
U
O
F
C
AC
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod
Subs
QP
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod
UP
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
RP
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
C
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
PI
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Explanation of Overall Risk Categories
Exposure
Very Rare (VR) –
extremely rare (has not
yet occurred
Rare (R) – hardly every
occurs (but has been
known to occur)
Unusual (U) – does not
occur often (from once
per month to once per
year)
Occasional (O) –
sometimes occurs (from
once per week to once
per month)
Frequent (F) – occurs
often (approximately
once daily)
Continuous (C) – occurs
repeatedly (or many
times daily)
Quite Possible (QP) – is
quite possible, not
unusual, has an even
50/50 chance
Unlikely but Possible
(UP) – Would be an
unusual sequence or
coincidence
Remotely Possible (RP) –
would be a remotely
possible coincidence
Conceivable (C) – has
never happened after
many years of exposure,
but is conceivably
possible
Practically Impossible
(P) – has never
happened after many
years of exposure and is
virtually impossible
Substantial (Subs) –
should receive attention
as soon as possible
High – immediate
correction required
Very High (VH) –
immediate correction
required
Probability (Prob)
Almost Certain (AC) – is
the most likely and
expected result if the
hazard event takes place
Overall Risk Category
Low – risk is normally
acceptable
Moderate (Mod) –
should be dealt with as
soon as possible but
situation is not an
emergency
The Overall Risk Category for each element is highlighted in green.