GC RISK ASSESSMENT

Hazardous procedure: Gas Chromatography

Step 3. Assess the risk
Ref. # List & describe the hazards and hazardous jobs Priority
1 If damaged, gas cylinders can explode, act as projectiles, or 3
cause suffocation
2 If using hydrogen as a carrier gas, risk of explosion exists if leaks 4
are present, or if carrier gas is flowing but FID detector is not lit
3 Sharps risk (needlestick injury) due to use of syringes for injecting 5
samples
4 Burns from GC oven, or hot injector and detector ports 5
5 Possible toxic hazard or biohazard from GC samples 5
6 Electrical faults could lead to electrocution or fire 5
7 If GC is fitted with an Electron Capture Detector (ECD), this 6
contains a small amount of radioactive isotope (Nickel-63, a beta-
emitter), and thus poses a radiation risk
What makes it hazardous? Consult with the workers to find out which factors are relevant:
Tick relevant boxes and record observations or comments.
X The nature of the hazard itself Equipment uses flammable (hydrogen) and asphyxiating (helium,
nitrogen) gases, equipment has several hot surfaces, samples are
injected with sharp needles, the samples themselves may be
hazardous (eg. dissolved in organic solvents or containing other toxic
components), all electrical equipment poses an electrocution and fire
risk if faulty, there is a potential radiation risk from ECD detector if this
are opened.
X The individual(s) involved Workers need to be trained in proper use of equipment by the
equipment custodian.

Record the names of those consulted when assessing the risk Date
Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Robert Czolij, Craig Jackson 22/3/2010

Step 4. Control the risk(s)

Describe the risk control(s) Who is responsible Due by date

for implementation
Wear personal protective equipment (lab coat, enclosed footwear, Individual user and 21/4/2010
safety glasses or goggles if liquid splash risk exists, gloves if handling their supervisor
toxic or biohazard samples)
Take extreme care when handling, connecting, and disconnecting Individual user and 21/4/2010
gas cylinders see Risk Assessment form Transport and Use of their supervisor
Gas Cylinders for more details.
Always leak-test gas fittings when installing the GC, changing Individual user and 21/4/2010
columns, or changing detector/injectors. Be aware of the risk of a their supervisor
hydrogen gas leak into the GC oven or into the room.
Do not have carrier gas flow switched on without the FID being Individual user and 21/4/2010
ignited this can cause a hydrogen gas explosion their supervisor
Know which parts of the machine are HOT (especially the injection Individual user and 21/4/2010
port and the FID detector) and do not touch these parts their supervisor
Take care when handling samples in syringes, be aware of risk of Individual user and 21/4/2010
needlestick injury. their supervisor
If injecting samples that contain toxic chemicals (eg. pollutants), and Individual user and 21/4/2010
operating in split mode, ensure that the GC split vent has an their supervisor
activated carbon trap on it, or exhausts into a fume hood
Ensure GC machine is serviced regularly and report any faults Individual user and 21/4/2010
immediately to your supervisor, and/or GC service provider their supervisor
Do not open or tamper with the ECD detector this can expose you to Individual user and
hazardous beta-radiation. If disposing of the GC machine, the ECD their supervisor
must be removed and disposed of separately as radioactive waste
Proper training of users Supervisor of 21/4/2010
researcher
Development of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) SMB Safety 21/4/2010
Commitee
Reading and following the SOP Individual user and 21/4/2010
their supervisor
Record the names of those consulted when deciding on risk control measures
Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Robert Czolij, Craig Jackson

PART B completed by: Nick Coleman Date: 22/3/2010