RISK ASSESSMENT ACG Strathallan

Endothermic and Exothermic reactions

Written by: CLK Commenced on: 27 Feb 2024 Expires: 27 May 2025

Classes for which experiment is required

Teacher: LOW (training code 2) Year Group: 8 Room Period Date
G15 2 Fri 8/3/24
Items to be prepared by science technician (training code 2)
8 groups of:
magnesium ribbon
hydrochloric acid
barium hydroxide and ammonium chloride (demo)
sodium hydroxide
ethanoic acid
hydrated sodium carbonate powder
citric acid powder
calcium carbonate powder
sodium bicarbonate powder
hand warmers
instant ice pack
Pasco heat sensors
old Pasco handheld units

Procedure or reference, including variations

Pauline has a copy

Equipment to be used
spatula
Potential hazards Standard handling procedures
Properties depend on spatula material. A nickel spatula People with nickel allergy should wear gloves if using a
may cause an allergic skin reaction, especially if used nickel spatula.
repeatedly.

medium soda glass test tube, ~150 mm x 15 mm

Potential hazards
Breakage of test tubes. Cuts from chipped test-tube
rims. Commonly, thinner walls and more fragile than
borosilicate test tubes. Less resistant to thermal shock
than borosilicate test tubes. Small test tubes more likely
to eject material during exothermic reactions.
Standard handling procedures
Inspect and discard any damaged test tubes. Sweep up
broken glass with brush and dustpan; do not use fingers.
Do not insert finger in test tube, since it may become
stuck and swell. Borosilicate test tubes are generally
recommended if the contents are to be heated.

test tube rack (test tube stand)

Potential hazards Standard handling procedures
Ensure holes in rack are the correct size for the test If plastic, do not use with organic solvents.
tubes. Organic solvents may dissolve or swell the plastic.
Wooden test tube rack is flammable and may catch fire if
too near Bunsen flame. Wooden test tube rack may
contain splinters.

Chemicals to be used
acetic acid <1.7 M (<10% wt/wt) (ethanoic acid) CH3COOH(aq)
CAS: 64-19-7
Class: nc PG: none Users: K-12 Training: 1-6

GHS data: Not classified as a hazardous chemical.

Potential hazards Disposal
Irritant vapour. May be poured down the drain in a stream of water.

ammonium chloride, solid NH4Cl

CAS: 12125-02-9
Class: nc PG: none Users: 7-12 Training: 1-5
GHS data:
Harmful if swallowed
WARNING
Causes serious eye irritation

Potential hazards Standard handling procedures

Slightly toxic. Toxic fumes of hydrogen chloride and
ammonia emitted on heating.
Heat only in fume cupboard or well-ventilated area.
Disposal
Retain for collection by a waste service or <100 g/day
may be dissolved in 20 times the mass of water, then
poured down the drain.

barium hydroxide, anhydrous Ba(OH)2

UN: 3262 CAS: 17194-00-2
Class: 8 PG: II Users: 11-12 Training: 1,2,5

GHS data:
Harmful if swallowed
DANGER Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Harmful if inhaled

Potential hazards Standard handling procedures

HIGHLY CORROSIVE TO SKIN AND EYES. Toxic. Calcium hydroxide may sometimes be used as a less
toxic and corrosive alternative.

Disposal
Retain for collection by a waste service or <100 g/day
may be dissolved in 20 times the mass of water and
poured down the drain.

calcium carbonate (calcite, chalk (rock), lime (limestone), limestone, marble chips) CaCO3
CAS: 471-34-1
Class: nc PG: none Users: K-12 Training: 1-6

GHS data: Not classified as a hazardous chemical.

Potential hazards Standard handling procedures
Not toxic. Solubility ~0.6 mg/L at 20°C.

Disposal
May be placed in the garbage.

citric acid, solid HOOCCH2C(OH)(COOH)CH2COOH

CAS: 77-92-9
Class: nc PG: none Users: K-12 Training: 1-6

GHS data:
Causes serious eye irritation
WARNING
May cause respiratory irritation

Potential hazards Standard handling procedures

Particles of solid irritate eyes and lungs. Solubility ~1000 g/L at 20°C.

Disposal
May be placed in the garbage.

hydrochloric acid <3 M (<10% wt/wt) HCl(aq)

CAS: 7647-01-0
Class: nc PG: none Users: 7-12 Training: 1-5

GHS data: Not classified as a hazardous chemical.

Potential hazards Standard handling procedures
Higher concentrations irritate eyes, lungs and skin. Avoid inhalation of vapour.

Disposal
<100 mL/day may be poured, with stirring, into 10 times
the volume of water, then poured down the drain.
 the volume of water, then poured down the drain.
Residues should be placed in an Acid waste container.

magnesium, ribbon Mg
UN: 1869 CAS: 7439-95-4
Class: 4.1 PG: III Users: 7-12 Training: 1-5

GHS data:

DANGER In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously

Potential hazards Standard handling procedures

Burns with white-hot flame; UV radiation emitted from Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent corrosion.
flame may cause eye damage; do not allow students to
view flame from close distance. Reaction with ethanol Disposal
may be violent after a long induction period. Reactions Retain for collection by a waste service or <100 g/day
of magnesium with dichromate salts, nitrate salts, sulfur, may be dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid and poured
phosphorus or halogenated solvents can be dangerously down the drain. Do not place in the garbage, due to the
violent. Reaction of magnesium with silica (sand) to form possibility of ignition.
silicon may be dangerously exothermic if the silica is not
completely dry. Do not use magnesium as an alternative
to aluminium in the thermite reaction; the reaction is
dangerously explosive. Magnesium ribbon can, however,
be used as a fuse for the thermite reaction.

sodium carbonate, anhydrous (soda ash) Na2CO3

CAS: 497-19-8
Class: nc PG: none Users: 7-12 Training: 1-6

GHS data:

WARNING Causes serious eye irritation

Potential hazards Disposal

Eye and skin irritant, since alkaline. Low toxicity. May be placed in the garbage.

sodium hydrogen carbonate, solid (baking soda, bicarbonate of soda, sodium bicarbonate) NaHCO3
CAS: 144-55-8
Class: nc PG: none Users: K-12 Training: 1-6

GHS data: Not classified as a hazardous chemical.

Potential hazards Standard handling procedures
Low toxicity. DO NOT GENERATE CARBON DIOXIDE WITH SODIUM
HYDROGEN CARBONATE IN A CLOSED CONTAINER SINCE
THE CONTAINER MAY EXPLODE. Do not seal a container
containing sodium hydrogen carbonate and an acid such
as vinegar. Otherwise, mixing these chemicals makes
harmless bubbles of carbon dioxide gas.

Disposal
May be placed in the garbage.

sodium hydroxide 0.51-1.3 M (2-5% wt/wt) NaOH(aq)

CAS: 1310-73-2
Class: nc PG: none Users: 11-12 Training: 1-6

GHS data:

DANGER Causes severe skin burns and eye damage

Potential hazards Standard handling procedures

CORROSIVE TO EYES AND SKIN. WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!

Disposal
<2 L/day may be poured down the drain. Larger
 quantities should be placed in an Alkaline waste
container.

Chemicals to be produced
ammonia, gas generated during experiment NH3
CAS: 7664-41-7
Class: 2.3/8 PG: none Users: 11-12 Training: 1,2,5

GHS data:

Flammable gas
Toxic if inhaled
DANGER
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Very toxic to aquatic life

Potential hazards Standard handling procedures

EXTREMELY IRRITANT TO LUNGS. Highly toxic. Pungent Experiments that evolve ammonia gas should be carried
odour. May cause asthma attack with some people. out in the fume cupboard or in a well-ventilated area.

Disposal
Place apparatus in fume cupboard or in open air to allow
the gas to slowly escape.

barium chloride 0.12-0.72 M (2.5-15% wt/wt) BaCl2(aq)

CAS: 10326-27-9
Class: nc PG: none Users: 7-12 Training: 1-6

GHS data:
Harmful if swallowed
DANGER
May be harmful if inhaled

Potential hazards Disposal

Harmful if swallowed. <600 mL/day may be poured down the drain.

carbon dioxide, gas generated during experiment CO2

CAS: 124-38-9
Class: 2.2 PG: none Users: K-12 Training: 1-6

GHS data: Not classified as a hazardous chemical.

Potential hazards
Harmless, in quantities generated during experiments.
Toxic at high concentrations in air due to absorption
through lungs into blood, lowering the pH.
Standard handling procedures
DO NOT GENERATE CARBON DIOXIDE IN A CLOSED
CONTAINER SINCE THE CONTAINER MAY EXPLODE.
Magnesium burns in carbon dioxide to form magnesium
oxide and carbon.

Disposal
Gas may be released to the atmosphere, provided it is
not in an enclosed space.

hydrogen, gas generated during experiment H2

CAS: 1333-74-0
Class: 2.1 PG: none Users: 7-12 Training: 1,2,5

GHS data:

DANGER Extremely flammable gas

Potential hazards Standard handling procedures

EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE GAS. Forms dangerously
explosive mixtures with air. Not toxic, but can act as
asphyxiant; hydrogen/air mixture in lungs can explode if
ignited. Detonation ("popping") of small volume of
hydrogen/air mixture in sturdy test tube by ignition with
DO NOT GENERATE HYDROGEN IN A CLOSED CONTAINER
SINCE THE CONTAINER MAY EXPLODE. Generate
hydrogen only in small volumes (<1 mL). Detonate
hydrogen/air mixtures only in small undamaged test
tubes (<8 cm; <5 mL). Use borosilicate ("pyrex") test
 match or wooden taper is generally safe; breakage of tubes; do not use thin-walled soda glass test tubes.
test tube is possible. Do not ignite or detonate balloons Protect against flying broken glass from breakage of test
filled with hydrogen gas. tubes.

Disposal
<1 L/day may be released to the atmosphere, provided
no ignition source is present.

magnesium chloride, solution MgCl2(aq)

CAS: 7786-30-3
Class: nc PG: none Users: 7-12 Training: 1-5

GHS data: Not classified as a hazardous chemical.

Potential hazards Disposal
Low toxicity. May be poured down the drain, to the limit of 100 g/day
of dissolved salt.

sodium acetate, solution (sodium ethanoate) NaO2CCH3(aq)

CAS: 6131-90-4
Class: nc PG: none Users: K-12 Training: 1-5

GHS data: Not classified as a hazardous chemical.

Potential hazards Disposal
Low toxicity. May be poured down the drain.

sodium chloride, solution (salt) NaCl(aq)

CAS: 7647-14-5
Class: nc PG: none Users: K-12 Training: 1-6

GHS data: Not classified as a hazardous chemical.

Potential hazards Standard handling procedures
Low toxicity. Solubility ~360 g/L at 20°C.

Disposal
May be poured down the drain.

sodium citrate, solution (trisodium citrate) Na3O2CCH2C(OH)(CO2)CH2CO2(aq)

CAS: 6132-04-3
Class: nc PG: none Users: K-12 Training: 1-6

GHS data: Not classified as a hazardous chemical.

Potential hazards Disposal
Low toxicity. May be poured down the drain.

water <43.5 °C (cold-warm) H2 O

CAS: 7732-18-5
Class: nc PG: none Users: K-12 Training: 1-6

GHS data: Not classified as a hazardous chemical.

Potential hazards Standard handling procedures
Water below 43.5°C is generally considered safe for Water in a laboratory should not be drunk, due to the
adults and children. Cold water causes numbness and possibility of chemical contamination. Water spilled on
hypothermia, if exposure is prolonged. the floor may be a slip hazard.

Disposal
May be poured down the drain.

Others
Make sure that barium hydroxide and ammonium chloride is only demonstrated

Knowledge
I have read and understood the potential hazards and standard handling procedures of all the equipment, chemicals and
biological items, including living organisms.
I have read and understood the Safety Data Sheets for all hazardous chemicals used in the experiment.
I have copies of the Safety Data Sheets of all the hazardous chemicals available in or near the laboratory.

Risk assessment
I have considered the risks of:
fire or explosion
chemicals in eyes
inhalation of gas/dust
chemicals on skin
ingestion of chemicals
runaway reaction
heat or cold
breakage of equipment
injuries from equipment
rotating equipment
electrical shock
vibration or noise
sharp objects
falling or flying objects
contamination of area
exposure to pathogens
biohazards waste disposal
injuries from animals improper labelling/storage
environmental impact inappropriate behaviour
intense light/lasers communication issues
UV, IR, nuclear radiation allergies
pressure inside equipment special needs
heavy lifting ethical issues
slipping, tripping, falling other risks

For outdoor activities , consider wind, temperature, rain/hail/snow, UV, air quality, fire danger, pollen, bites/stings etc

Certification by Teacher
I have assessed the risks associated with performing this experiment in the classroom on the basis of likelihood and
consequences using the School's risk matrix , according to International Organization for Standardization Standard ISO
31000:2018.

I consider the inherent level of risk (risk level without control measures) to be:
Low risk Medium risk High risk Extreme risk

Control measures:
Ensure room is well ventilated during demonstration
Additional measures: safety glasses, demonstration

With the specified control measures in place, I have found that all the risks are "low risk". Risks will therefore be managed
by routine procedures in the classroom, in combination with the specified control measures.
Name: Signature: Date:

Certification by Science Technician

I have assessed the risks associated with preparing the equipment, chemicals and and biological items, including living
organisms, for this experiment and subsequently cleaning up after the experiment and disposing of wastes, on the basis
of likelihood and consequences using the School's risk matrix , according to International Organization for Standardization
Standard ISO 31000:2018.

I consider the inherent level of risk (risk level without control measures) to be:
Low risk Medium risk High risk Extreme risk

Control measures:
Additional measures: safety glasses

With the specified control measures in place, I have found that all the risks are "low risk". Risks will therefore be managed
by routine procedures in the laboratory, in combination with the specified control measures.
Name: Signature: Date:

Monitoring and review

This risk assessment will be monitored using electronic review notes or hand-written notes on a printout. It will be
reviewed within 15 months as part of the regular review process.