COSHH RISK ASSESSMENT

Substance being assessed: Nital etchant Site: All Register No: SP268
Assessor: Michael Fee Signed: Michael Fee Date prepared: 22/12/22 Review date: 22/12/23
Key to assessment Risk value: Low Medium High
Slightly harmful Harmful Very harmful
People at risk: Site personnel Client personnel General public Other
Supplier / Phone no: Doosan Babcock Porterfield Rd, Renfrew PA4 8DJ

Composition: Nitric Acid 2-5%

Methanol 90%

Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL): Nitric acid (SHORT TERM) 1 ppm (2.6 mg/m 3) averaged over a 15-minute period
Methanol (SHORT TERM) 250ppm (333 mg/m 3) averaged over a 15-minute period
Method of working: Applied via brush
Location of use: External Internal Confined space Other

Persons at risk: Site personnel General public Client personnel Other

Route of exposure: Inhalation Ingestion Skin Eyes Other

Risk/Safety phrases:
H290 May be corrosive to metals.
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
H315 Causes skin irritation.
H318 Causes serious eye damage.
H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
H225 Flammable liquids
H330 Acute toxicity inhalation
H360 Reproductive Toxicity
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H370 Specific Target Organs/Systemic Toxicity Following Single Exposure
H340 Germ Cell Mutagenicity
H372 Specific Target Organs/Systemic Toxicity Following Repeated Exposure
Control Measures:
 Ensure substance is stored in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area
 Ensure good Hygiene practices are adopted
 Operatives with existing sensitisation or skin conditions are not to utilise the substance
 No eating or drinking is allowed whilst using the substance
 Issue and wear suitable personal protective equipment when using the materials
 Ensure eye wash stations with pure water are readily available.
 Store away from sources of ignition
 Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. - No smoking.
 Keep container tightly closed.
 Ground/bond container and receiving equipment.
 Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/lighting/intrinsically safe equipment.
 Use only non-sparking tools.
 Take precautionary measures against static discharge.

Personal protective equipment to current BS or EN standard

Eye protection
4
Coveralls Gloves

Fire precautions: Highly flammable liquid and vapor. Strong oxidizer. Contact of concentrated nitric acid with combustible materials may increase the hazard from fire and may
lead to an explosion. Decomposes at fire temperature with release of oxides of nitrogen. Releases hydrogen gas on contact with many metals.
Extinguishing media: In case of fire: Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide to extinguish. Does not burn. Use extinguishing media appropriate for surrounding fire.
Environmental protection Releases may require isolation or evacuation. Approach release from upwind. Stop or control the leak if this can be done without undue risk. Use
water spray to cool and disperse vapours and protect personnel. Avoid solid stream on pooled liquids. Prompt clean-up and removal are necessary. Control runoff and isolate
discharged material for proper disposal.

General First Aid Information

Eye Contact: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. May cause irritation with burning
and stinging with possible damage to the cornea and conjunctiva.
 COSHH RISK ASSESSMENT
Inhalation: IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing

Skin Contact: IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water. Results in drying and cracking which can lead to secondary infections
and dermatitis. May cause burns, redness, and pain.

Ingestion: IF SWALLOWED: rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Dilute with water or milk. Vomiting may occur spontaneously but do not induce. Call a physician immediately.

Most Important Symptoms and Effects, Acute and Delayed

May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Causes serious eye damage. Fatal if inhaled. May cause genetic defects. May damage
fertility or the unborn child. Causes damage to organs. Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. Flammable and Corrosive liquid. Keep away from
heat, sparks, and open flames. Keep container closed. Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid prolonged breathing of vapor or contact with skin. Do not pipet by mouth. If
ingested, vomiting may occur spontaneously but do not induce. Dilute with large quantity of water and call a physician. Wash areas of contact with plenty of water for 15
minutes. For eyes, get medical attention. EYE CONTACT: May cause irritation with burning and stinging with possible damage to the cornea and conjunctiva. SKIN CONTACT:
Results in drying and cracking which can lead to secondary infections and dermatitis. May cause burns, redness, and pain.

Personal Precautions, Protective Equipment and Emergency Procedures

Ground container and receiving equipment. Use explosion-proof equipment. Use only non-sparking tools. Take precautionary measures against static discharge. Wear
protective gloves and eye protection. In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.

Health surveillance: Yes No Permit to work or Method Statement required: Yes No Level of risk remaining: High Moderate Low
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NOTE: A COPY OF THE MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET MUST BE ATTACHED TO THIS ASSESSMENT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT SHEET

I have read and understand the requirements of this risk assessment.

Name Signature Date