Faculty of Biological Sciences
COSHH Assessment
Assessment Title
Brief Description of Activity, Experiment
or Process
Nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) purification by extraction with phenol:chloroform and chloroform (to remove any remaining phenol) followed
by ethanol precipitation.
PI(s) or Manager(s)
in charge
Purification of Nucleic Acids (DNA/RNA) by Extraction Area/Service
with Phenol:Chloroform
Dr Brian Jackson
Assessment
Code
Protein Production Facility
PPF10
Date:
July 2016
Safety Overview
In addition to Good Lab Practice the following controls are required within this experiment (refer to details below for further information)
Control of aerosols
Gloves*
Glasses/visor
Protective Clothing*
Other (give brief details)
Control Fume Hood Other Ventilation Spill Tray
Tick 



*additional to measures taken or PPE worn when working within Good Lab Practice – e.g. thick chemical resistant gloves, apron etc.
Emergency Information – detail how foreseeable emergencies based on risk from chemical would be dealt with (fill this section in once assessment is complete)
Flammable chemicals – extinguishing if the quantities involved in the work caught fire Chemicals dangerous by inhalation – fire aid/actions if worker accidentally inhaled
Corrosive chemicals – first aid measures/actions if there is contact with eyes or skin
Chemicals dangerous if swallowed – first aid/actions if worker ingests accidently
Examples:
Chemical
Action in foreseeable emergency
In case of skin contact: Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. Wash off with soap and plenty of water. Take casualty to a shower if severity warrants it and
contact H&S for advice and potential treatment with Diphoterine.
In case of eye contact: Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 20 minutes
If swallowed: Do NOT induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water if conscious.
If inhaled: Move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Summon ambulance or take casualty to A&E if effects of any contact are not relieved by simple first aid measures.
Small Lab Fires: Contain any small lab fire with a fire blanket or a CO2 fire extinguisher. If fire is not under control within 1 minute initiate building evacuation.
Signal Words
Labelling/Pictograms of chemicals involved in Process
Danger (+2)
Brief
Overvie
w
No symbol
assigned (+0)





Tick all
that
Apply
No Hazard
Health Hazard
Corrosive
Flammable
(+1)
(+2)
(+2)
(+2)
Oxidiser
(+3)
(+3)
Explosive
Warning (+0)
(+3)


Serious Health
Hazard
Toxic
Refer to Guidance
Gas Cylinder
Harmful in
Environment


Chemicals Hazards Score
Scoring of hazards presented within experiment - Does the experiment pose a hazardous exposure?
Chemical Name
and CAS no.
Hazard Labels and Signal Words and specific
health effect (if applicable) e.g. Damage to
respiratory system if inhaled
Classificat
A
B
C
D
E
ion Score Hazardous Dusty/light Aerosols
Splashes or Skin or
(1-5)
vapour or powders
generated drips likely eye
fumes
(+3)
Phenol:Chloroform:Isoamyl Alcohol Toxic if vapour or aerosols area inhaled.
(136112-00-0)
Toxic if swallowed. Toxic in contact with
skin. Causes severe skin burns and eye
damage. Suspected of causing genetic
defects and is a carcinogen (Danger)
Chloroform (67-66-3)
Harmful if swallowed, causes irritation is
inhaled, may cause drowsiness or
dizziness. Potential carcinogen and
causes damage to the unborn child.
(Danger)
2-propanol (67-63-0)
Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
Causes serious eye irritation. May cause
drowsiness or dizziness
Ethanol (64-17-5)
Highly flammable liquid and vapour
(Danger)
Diethyl pyrocarbonate (1609-47-8) Causes irritation to skin, eyes and
respiratory system and harmful if
swallowed
(+2)
(+2)
(+1)
contact
likely
(+2)
F
G
Ignition
source may
cause fire
(+2)
Carcinogen,
mutagen,
toxin or
teratogen
(+5)
H
Other Hazard
Total Hazard
(assign score 1-3 Score
based on severity) (1-25)
(e.g. working
above WEL*)
5
YES
YES
YES
YES
18
4
YES
YES
YES
YES
15
5
YES
YES
YES
4
YES
1
Yes
YES
13
YES
9
Yes
4
The Following Chemicals are included in this experiment but have no hazard associated with them:
Sodium Acetate,
Delete unused cells as needed. Add new cells by adding row.
Hazardous Dusty/light Aerosols
vapour or powders
generated
fumes
(+2)
(+2)
(+3)
A
*WEL = Work place exposure limit. Detailed in HSE document EH40 2011
B
C
Splashes or Skin or
drips likely eye
(+1)
contact
likely
(+2)
D
E
Ignition
source may
cause fire
(+2)
Carcinogen,
mutagen,
toxin or
teratogen
(+5)
F
G
Other Hazard
Total Hazard
(assign score 1-3 Score
based on severity) (1-25)
(e.g. working
above WEL*)
H
Control identification and Specification
Give details of controls/procedures required in addition to Good Lab Practice to avoid or reduce exposure to hazards (e.g. identify stages where a control is needed, specific controls for one chemical etc). Be as
specific as possible e.g. perform process A using chemical X in fume hood; weight out chemical Y powder in chemical cabinet; pipette chemical W very gently to reduce aerosol; pipette (do not pour) chemical Z
from stock bottle.
Scores are reduced by deducting hazard score allocated above where exposure is successfully controlled. Score is only partially reduced for control by PPE only (+1 to remain). Record final residual score in table
below.
Chemical: Phenol:Chloroform:Isoamyl Alcohol
Controlled? Sc. Chg.
Hazards: A D E G
A: Stock bottle and samples must be handled in fume hood. Absolute minimum
Y
-3
used for each sample.
D: Avoid pouring (use pipette), double glove to reduce penetration of phenol.
Y
-1
E: Stock bottle and samples must be handled in fume hood, safety specs must
be worn when manipulating tubes. Place tubes containing waste liquid into
Y
-2
dedicated sharps bin, not into orange bags.
G: This area is covered by precautions listed above.
Y
-5
Total Score Changes
-12
Chemical: Chloroform
Hazards: A D E G
A: Stock bottle and samples must be handled in fume hood
D: Avoid pouring (use pipette)
E: Stock bottle and samples must be handled in fume hood, safety specs must
be worn when manipulating tubes. Place tubes containing waste liquid into dedicated
sharps bin, not into orange bags.
G: Stock bottle and samples must be handled in fume hood, safety specs must be worn
Total Score Change
Chemical: 2-propanol
Hazards: A D E F
A: Ensure adequate ventilation, Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot
surfaces
D: Avoid pouring (use pipette)
E: Good lab practice (PPE etc.)
F: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces
Total Score Change
Controlled? Sc. Chg. Chemical: Ethanol
Hazards: A F
A: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces
Y
-3
Chemical: Diethyl pyrocarbonate
Hazards: D E
D: Avoid pouring (use pipette)
E: Good lab practice (PPE etc.)
Total Score Change
Controlled? Sc. Chg. Chemical:
Hazards: A B C
Y
-1
Y
-1
-2
Total Score Change
Y
Y
Y
-1
-1
-2
-7
Controlled? Sc. Chg.
Y
-3
Y
-1
Y
-2
Y
-5
-12
Controlled? Sc. Chg.
F: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces
Total Score Change
Y
-3
Y
-2
-5
Controlled? Sc. Chg.
D
E F
G H (delete as required)
Residual Risk from Chemicals in Experiment
If a hazardous exposure is adequately controlled then Hazard Score from chemical hazard identification above can be reduced accordingly and recorded below. Score cannot be reduced below Classification Score
Highlight scores greater than 12 in Red or Bold/Underline)
Chemical
Phenol:Chloroform:Isoamyl Alcohol
Chloroform
2-propanol
Ethanol
Diethyl pyrocarbonate
Haz. Score Sc. Change Residual Risk Score Chemical
18
15
13
9
4
-12
-12
-7
-5
-2
6
3
6
4
2
If residual risk score is still greater than 12 then Appendix A must be completed to ensure specific controls for the chemical are specified and put in place
Haz Score
Sc. Change Residual Risk Score
Waste Disposal – Detail how waste resulting from this work will be disposed of
Solid Waste:
Liquid Waste:
Yes
NO
Environmental Hazards:
Can all solid waste be disposed of
Can all liquid waste be disposed of into
Are any chemicals used in this work labelled as environmental
into Healthcare waste or
clinical waste or autoclave waste as
If no, give
If no, give details hazards? These must not be placed into the drain.
autoclave waste as appropriate to
appropriate to biological agent
details below
below
biological agent contamination
contamination
Specific measures required for waste containing chemicals not suitable for disposal to healthcare waste or to the drain.
Chemical (e.g. Chloroform)
State of waste (e.g. liquid, Disposal Route (chemical waste (solvent) route for liquid and
contaminated solids etc.) cin bin for solids)
Phenol:Chloroform:Isoamyl Alcohol
liquid
Chloroform
liquid
No
If YES, detail
below
Notes about disposal (e.g. remove solvent waste to Miall
waste store)
Collect tubes of waste in dedicated and marked sharp bin Ensure bin is marked and ONLY used for waste solvent.
for disposal in Orange Bags
Collect tubes of waste in dedicated and marked sharp bin Ensure bin is marked and ONLY used for waste solvent
for disposal in Orange Bags
Risk assessment Approval – COSHH Assessment must be approved by the Academic(s)/Manager(s) in charge of the work before it becomes valid
The risk assessment approver must ensure that staff and students carrying out the work assessed here are provided with adequate supervision to ensure they are carrying out the procedures stipulated.
Name of Manager/Academic in charge
Signature
Date
Dr Brian R Jackson
Further Actions Table – note action details and when completed
Action Detail
Person responsible
19/07/2016
Date of Completion
Review Dates – note assessment review dates below (date and sign)
Date of Review
Signature of reviewer