Download DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY TEACHING LAB EXPERIMENT

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
TEACHING LAB EXPERIMENT RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
This form must be completed jointly by the Lab Officer in charge and the Lecturer in charge. A
hardcopy of the completed form should be kept in a file together with the Project Risk
Assessment.
Name of Principal Investigator
Name of Lab Officer in Charge
Module / Expt No.
Dr Edith Chan Sau Han
Adeline Chia
CM2102 / expt 3
Activity being assessed:
NMR spectroscopy of organic molecules
Known or expected hazards associated with the activity:
Hazards of reagents, solvents and known reaction products.
State each substance and the approximate amounts to be used/produced.
STRICTLY NO ADMISSION TO THE NMR LABORATORY FOR ANY PERSONS WITH
PACE-MAKERS AND OTHER METALLIC IMPLANTS. Iron and other ferromagnetic objects
must not be brought into the vicinity of the magnetic field as very strong attractive forces exist.
Watches, bank cards, cash cards etc, will be damaged if they are brought near the NMR
instruments. You should place such items on the tables located near the entrances.
1.
ethyl acetate
2.
cyclohexene
3.
p-tolualdehyde
4.
chloroform-d1
Incompatible materials (special precautions):
1. ethyl acetate - incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. Highly flammable
2. cyclohexene - incompatible with oxidizing agents
3. p-tolualdehyde – incompatible with strong bases, strong oxidizing agents and
reducing agents. Combustible – keep away from open flame and heat.
4. chloroform-d1 – incompatible with strong bases, alkali metals, aluminium,
magnesium and strong oxidizing agents.
The risk of injury and its severity likely to arise from these hazards:
1. ethyl acetate – harmful if swallowed in quantity. Irritant. Vapours may cause drowiness.
2. cyclohexene - harmful if swallowed and contact with skin. Skin, eye and respiratory
irritant
3. p-tolualdehyde – may be harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. Irritant
4. chloroform-d1 - Poison. May be fatal if inhaled or swallowed. Possible carcinogen.
Readily absorbed through skin. Harmful if splashed into the eye.
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Who is at risk?
Persons directly in contact with the above stated chemicals.
Measure to be taken to reduce the level of risk:
Proper laboratory attire and safety measures must always be used in order to reduce the level
of risk…
1. ethyl acetate - Wear safety glasses and adequate ventilation.
2. cyclohexene - Wear safety glasses. Effective ventilation . Remove all sources of
ignition.
3. p-tolualdehyde – Wear safety glasses and gloves.
4. chloroform-d1 - wear safety glasses, gloves, good ventilation. Handle as a potential
carcinogen
Training prerequisites:
Students to follow strictly the operating instructions for use of the NMR.
Use of Standard Electrical Equipment
General lab competence required.
Level of risk remaining:
Very low ( all 4 solutions are prepared and sealed in NMR tubes)
Emergency action if :
Spill:
1. ethyl acetate – small amt can be flushed down sink with large amt of water.
Material is very flammable, avoid any build-up of vapour in sink
2. cyclohexene - absorb spillage with absorbent kit and place in disposal bag
3.
p-tolualdehyde – absorb spillage with absorbent kit and place in disposal bag.
4. chloroform-d1 – absorb spillage with absorbent kit and place in disposal bag.
Fire:
For all the 4 solvents use A,B, C fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
References if any: Hard copies of MSDS of these chemiclas available in lab
Signature of Lab Officer in Charge::………………………………………………………………..
Date:…………………………
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Signature of Lecturer in Charge:………… ……………………………………..
Date:… ……………………..
Prepared Risks Assessments for standard equipment and operation are with the kind permission of Dr. Ken MacNeil,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol.
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Activity being assessed:
Note any activity to be used which entail risk (e.g. use of glass vacuum apparatus, high pressures, high
voltage, radiation, high temperatures). Give reference to any special protocols to be followed, and if
appropriate attach copies to the risk assessment form. State any additional precautions taken to minimise
risk.
Known or expected hazards associated with the activity:
FOR EACH CHEMICAL, read the MSDS and note:a) Particular hazards (e.g. highly toxic, carcinogenic, corrosive, flammable, pyrophoric, explosive, volatile,
dust hazard). Note any dangerous combinations of properties (e.g. volatile and toxic).
b) Requirements for safe handling (e.g. fume cupboard, inert atmosphere, low temperature).
c) How to dispose of residuals
 Dispose to drain, with water dilution
 Neutralise, then to drain with suitable dilution
 To flammable liquid waste receptacle
 To non-flammable liquid waste receptacle
 Keep for recovery/recycling
 Keep for special disposal later (e.g. heavy metals)
 Double bag and dispose to dry waste
 Special procedure (specify)
Incompatible materials (special precautions)
Note any dangerously incompatible materials and hazards arising from contact of any reagents and
substances used with common materials such as paper, benches, hoses, etc.
Measures to be taken to reduce the level of risk
Include hazards of previously unknown products.
Location of work – laboratory, open bench, fume cupboard
Level of risk remaining:
Likelihood and consequences of any accident or unforeseen events whilst carrying out the activity. When
this has been done, choose the appropriate procedure:a) Close supervision and/or attendance of trained first-aider needed.
b) Specific approval of supervisor needed.
c) Training is needed prior-to or during the operations specified.
d) Training is complete and only general laboratory competence required.
e) No risk perceived.
Emergency action:
a) Any special requirements to deal with accidental spillage or leakage.
b) What to do in the event of accidental exposure (skin contact, inhalation, etc.).
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Printed on: 13 May 2017