RISK ASSESSMENT FORM

Use this form to assist you to complete risk assessments for hazardous activities and processes. Any serious or
ongoing hazards should be reported via RiskWare to ensure that appropriate corrective actions are tracked and
completed.

Faculty/School: Faculty of Science / Initial Issue Date: Oct 2015

School of Molecular Bioscience Next Review Date: Oct 2016
Risk Assessment Reference Number: SMB008
Risk Assessment Name: Disposal of hazardous chemical waste

Prepared by: Antony Ward

Responsible supervisor/s: Markus Hofer (Chair WHS committee) & Dianne Fisher (Safety
Officer)

Identify who may be at risk

Identify the activity and the location This may include fellow workers, students,
visitors, contractors and the public
Activity or process: Persons at risk:
Disposal of chemical waste All staff and students at SMB that do the
procedure.

Location: Risk assessment team (Who was consulted?):

Research and teaching labs at SMB.

WHS committee at SMB

List of Legislation, Code of Practice, Australian Standards, Guidance Materials used to determine control
measures

Refer to SWP SMB008 and to the SDS of the chemical(s) being disposed of taking particular note of any chemical
incompatibilities.

Risk Assessment Methodology

Assessing the risk is a brainstorming exercise, which is most effectively carried out in a team environment with the people
required to complete the activity or process. Most activities or processes are broken down into a variety of separate tasks. For
each task, consider the hazards, the potential harm or negative outcomes and the conditions required for those negative
outcomes to occur.

Whenever assessing the health and safety risks associated with a task, always consider the following primary risk factors.

 The physical activities required to complete the task e.g. repetitive movement, high force, physical exertion,
awkward posture
 The work environment e.g. lighting, work layout, traffic, thermal comfort, working in isolation
 The nature of the hazard itself e.g. working with chemicals, microorganisms, radiation, machinery, potentially violent
clients
 The individual workers involved, e.g. level of training, skills, experience, health, age, physical capacity

The information gathered from the risk assessment process must be used to develop a Safe Work Procedure (SWP).
 RISK ASSESSMENT FORM

Task or scenario Hazard/s Associated Current Any additional Residual

harm, e.g. what Existing Risk Controls risk controls are risk rating
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could go wrong? rating required? Use the
Use the Risk Matrix
Risk
Matrix
Disposal of Contact with Infections or release Ensure appropriate PPE is worn, the biological L5 N/A
hazardous chemical biological waste of biological waste components are sterilised or killed prior to disposal medium
waste containing to the environment.
biological Know the risks of the chemicals you are working with and
components Contact with attend the Chemical Safety course run by University of
hazardous Sydney OHS, and read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and
chemical. comply with any SDS requirements

Disposal of Spillage Contact with Ensure appropriate PPE is worn, perform decanting of L5 N/A
hazardous chemical hazardous chemical waste in an appropriately ventilated area to medium
waste chemical(s). prevent release of harmful vapours, ensure familiarity with
the SDS of the chemical(s) involved. If a large-scale spill
evacuate the immediate area and, if safe, use the spill kit to
contain the spill.

Be familiar with the location and usage of Spill Kits in the

School.

Use a fume cupboard when decanting organic solvents and

any other chemical that creates noxious fumes.

Lock waste storage room 225.

Disposal of Chemical Vigorous Read the SDS of all chemicals prior to disposal to ensure L5 N/A
hazardous chemical incompatibility uncontrolled no chemical incompatibilities exist. If there is an issue, medium
waste reaction, fire, or dispose the chemicals in separate clearly labelled
explosion containers.
Ensure all chemical waste are labelled with the type of
compound, its concentration, and the appropriate warning
(e.g. “TOXIC” or “CORROSIVE” or RADIOACTIVE” or
“BIOHAZARD”)

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Always consider whether or not it is possible to eliminated the hazard or hazardous task altogether. If this is not possible, refer to the hierarchy of risk
controls.
 RISK ASSESSMENT FORM

Disposal of Spillage Exposure of lab Such workers must consult their supervisor, medical L5 N/A
hazardous chemical workers with pre- specialist AND the University’s WHS services prior to medium
waste existing conditions performing any procedures

Transport of Spillage Contact with Prior to transporting, complete the Chemical Cleanout L5 N/A
hazardous chemical hazardous Form and email to the Waste Disposal Officer. medium
waste chemicals Ensure all containers are appropriately sealed prior to
transport, use secondary containment, and transport waste
with a trolley.

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Implementation of Additional Risk Controls

Additional controls Resources required Responsible person Date of RiskWare Reference

needed implementation

Safe Work Procedure DONE WHS committee 2.3.15 N/A

(SWP)

Train workers to Time – supervisor and Supervisor N/A

complete process in workers
accordance with SWP

University and local Time Supervisor N/A

WHS training

List emergency controls for how to deal with fires, spills or exposure to hazardous substances and/or
emergency shutdown procedures

1. If a spillage occurs follow the spill procedure located with the Spill Kit on Level 4.
2. If an incident or injury occurs during decanting procedure ensure an online
incident report is lodged and your supervisor notified.
3. Refer to safety information data (SDS or CHEMALERT) on how to best treat any
exposure to chemical.

4. If feeling unwell, seek medical attention and report to RiskWare.

REVIEW

Scheduled review date 1 year 2 years 3 years

Are control measures in place (YES/NO)

Are controls eliminating or minimizing the risk (YES/NO)
 RISK ASSESSMENT FORM

Are there any new problems with the risk (YES/NO)

Reviewed by:
Actual Review date:

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 RISK ASSESSMENT FORM

Risk Matrix.
 RISK ASSESSMENT FORM

In signing this section the assessor agrees that the following persons are competent in following this Risk
Assessment.

Name Signature Date Name of Assessor/Authoriser

Competent Assessor/Authoriser signature

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