RISK ASSESSMENT

combustion

Written by: Wenhui Li

Commenced on: 22 May 2015

Expires: 22 Aug 2016

Classes for which experiment is required

Teacher: Wenhui Li

Year Group: 9
Room

Period

SC206

Lesson1 and 2

Items to be prepared by laboratory technician

12 groups of:
5 cm magnesium stripes
sand paper
watchglass
matches
a few electronic scales
1x test tube clamp
1x test tube (medium)
1x candle

Procedure or reference, including variations

practical task sheet

Equipment to be used
candle
Potential hazards

Standard handling procedures

Ignition source when burning. Hot wax may cause burns

Ensure properly extinguished after use.

if contacts skin.

electronic balance
Potential hazards

Standard handling procedures

Can be knocked o bench, with potential injury to feet.

Keep clean and tidy; remove spilled chemicals

Keep back from edge of bench. Danger of electrocution,

immediately. Check wiring for damage each time before

especially in wet areas or if wiring is defective.

use. Test and tag at regular intervals.

glass jar with lid

Potential hazards

Standard handling procedures

Glass jar may break. Filling with hot liquids may cause

Inspect and discard any chipped or cracked jars no

cracking, due to dierential expansion of glass inside

matter how small the damage. Sweep up broken glass

and outside.

with brush and dustpan; do not use ngers.

match
Potential hazards

Standard handling procedures

Ignition source. If used to light bunsen burner, light

Keep dry. Ensure properly extinguished after use. Used

match before turning on gas to avoid explosive ignition of

matches should never be returned to the box. Count

air-gas mixture. May burn ngers if held too long.

boxes out and in.

Date
Wed 27/5/15

sandpaper
Potential hazards
May cause abrasion to skin.

test tube clamp

Potential hazards

Standard handling procedures

Wooden test tube clamp is ammable and may catch re

Keep away from naked ames.

near bunsen ame.

test tube, medium (~150 x 15 mm), borosilicate ("pyrex")

Potential hazards

Standard handling procedures

Breakage of test tubes. Cuts from chipped test-tube

Inspect and discard any damaged test tubes. Sweep up

rims. Small test tubes more likely to eject material

broken glass with brush and dustpan; do not use

during exothermic reactions.

ngers.

watch glass
Potential hazards
Breakage of watch glass. Cuts from chipped edges.
Standard handling procedures
Inspect and discard any damaged watch glasses. Sweep up broken glass with brush and dustpan; do not use ngers.

Chemicals to be used and produced

magnesium (magnesium metal, magnesium ribbon, magnesium turnings)
Class: 4.1

PG: III

Mg

7-12Users: 1,2,5

UN: 1869

CAS : 7439-95-4

Potential hazards
Burns with white-hot ame; UV radiation emitted from ame may cause eye damage; do not allow students to view ame from close
distance; otherwise harmless. Reaction with ethanol may be violent after a long induction period. Reactions of magnesium with dichromate
salts, nitrate salts, sulfur, phosphorus or halogenated solvents can be dangerously violent. Reaction of magnesium with silica (sand) to
form 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.
Standard handling procedures
Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent corrosion.

Knowledge
I have read and understood the potential hazards and standard handling procedures of all the equipment, chemicals and living organisms.
I have read and understood the (Material) Safety Data Sheets for all chemicals used and produced.
I have copies of the (Material) Safety Data Sheets of all the chemicals available in or near the laboratory.

Risk assessment
I have considered the risks of:
re

breakage of equipment

electrical shock

radiation

explosion

cuts from equipment

escape of pathogens

waste disposal

chemicals in eyes

sharp objects

heavy lifting

inappropriate behaviour

inhalation of gas/dust

rotating equipment

slipping, tripping, falling

allergies

chemicals on skin

vibration and noise

falling objects

special needs

runaway reaction

pressure

heat and cold

other risks

Certication by Teacher

I have assessed the risks associated with performing this experiment in the classroom on the basis of likelihood and consequences using
theSchool's risk matrix, according to International Organization for Standardization Standard ISO 31000:2009 and the Risk Management
Guidelines, HB 436:2013.
I consider the inherent level of risk (risk level without control measures) to be:
Low risk

Medium risk

High risk

Extreme risk

Risks will therefore be managed by routine procedures in the classroom.

Electronic Signature: Wenhui Li

Date: 22 May 2015

You have provided an electronic signature which is the equivalent of signing your name with a pen and as such will constitute a legally
binding agreement between the relevant parties. We can give no warranty in respect to fraud or security breach resulting from the use of
an electronic signature.

Certication by Laboratory Technician

I have assessed the risks associated with preparing the equipment, chemicals and 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 31000:2009 and the Risk Management Guidelines, HB
436:2013.
I consider the inherent level of risk (risk level without control measures) to be:
Low risk

Medium risk

High risk

Extreme risk

Where the risk level is "medium risk", "high risk" or "extreme risk", the following control measures will be employed:
Control measures (attach further pages as required):
safety glasses

gloves

lab coat

apron

fume cupboard

With the specied 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 specied control measures.
Name:

Signature:

Date:

Monitoring and review

This risk assessment will be monitored using comments below and will be reviewed within 15 months from the date of certication.

Attach further pages as required