Hazards and risks
- Difference between hazard and risk:
- Hazard - anything that can cause harm [chemicals, ladders etc]
- Risk - how great the chance that someone will be harmed by the hazard
- Risk - a situation involving danger
- Risk assessment - an investigation of risks involved with a certain procedure, and an analysis of whether an alternative 'safer' method can be used
- Safe working practices in the science laboratory
- In order to work safely in a laboratory there are a number of factors that need to be taken into account
- The activities and processes
- The hazards associated with the substances involved
- The risks involved
- Risk assessment
- The aim of a risk assessment is to minimise the risks of a procedure to an acceptable level
- Risk can never be taken away completely but ricks can be minimised
- What factor do you think the college considers when carrying out risk assessments for your practical work?
- Practical risk assessment
- Equipment
- Chemicals - how are they classified
- Your abilities and confidence with equipment
- Your maturity during practical's - you are allowed to do practical work that year 9 students would not be allowed to do
description | what it means |
---|---|
carcinogen | Suspected of causing or increasing the risk of cancer |
teratogen | A drug or a substance that is capable of interfering with the development of the fetus (unborn child) - thereby causing birth defects |
mutagen | Something that can induce or increase the risk of genetic mutations in a organism |
- how can we minimise the risk?
- Use a safer alternative
- Use a lower concentration
- Computer stimulation rather than a experiment
- Watch a demonstration
- Use PPE (personal protective equipment)
equipment | when should we use? |
---|---|
goggles | the chemicals could irritate/damage eyes |
protective glasses | protection for eyes |
visor | if whole face must be covered - danger of splashing |
gloves | if it is likely to her spilled or that is corrosive |
shoes | if you need to carry out the chemical particularly with bio hazards |
fume cupboards | harmful fumes must be drawn away |