UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA

SCHOOL OF CHEMISTRY

COSHH ASSESSMENT FOR USE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN LABORATORIES

A written assessment of the risks must be prepared for all categories of work with hazardous chemical substances which are
defined in the UEA Code of Practice for Written Assessments under the COSHH Regulations.

1. TITLE OF EXPERIMENT/PROCEDURE: Anaerobic sample handling and use of spectrophotometer in glove box

2. NAME OF RESEARCH SUPERVISOR: Julea Butt

3. NAME OF ALL PARTICIPANTS Alejandro Morales Florez

4. LOCATION OF EXPERIMENTAL WORK: CAP 2.18

5. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES TO BE USED:

Name of substances Principal hazard Quantity OEL*1 Risk
Sodium ascorbate No known hazards 20 mg LD50 oral
rat

11,900
mg/kg

Sodium dithionite H251 – self-heating, may catch fire 20 mg LD50 oral

Liquid nitrogen for flash freezing
samples
H302 – harmful if swallowed rat
H319 – causes serious eye irritation
H411 – toxic to aquatic life 2500 mg/kg
Cold burns. Also note potential for small storage vials
rupturing.

OTHER SUBSTANCES TO BE USED:

*1
OEL=occupational exposure limit for volatile substances in ppm or mg/m3
*2
Based on Risk Matrix suggested by R.S.C.
1= open bench 2=Fumehood should be used. 3=Special facility recommended.
6. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES: SUMMARY

Sample labelling
The following sample details should be clearly written on a white label securely attached to the corresponding container: name of
chemical/solution, date it was made or put into container, person responsible (initials will suffice). If the labels start to fade, they
should be refreshed before they are illegible.

Degassing/sparging
Before transferring any solutions into glove box, they should be purged on a N 2 (or Argon) line and sealed under N 2 (or Argon).
Powders inside vials will be sparged (with Oxygen-free Nitrogen) for at least 5 minutes, and liquid buffers or chemicals will be
sparged (with Oxygen-free Nitrogen) for at least 30 minutes. Take precaution and be safe when using the manifold needles to
minimise injuries. Dispose of needles safely in the designated yellow pot within the lab.

Glovebox: sample transfer and handling

Anaerobic samples will be prepared in glovebox for reduction and oxidation measurements. Nitrogen chambers used appropriately
as demonstrated by a supervisor and pose no risk if used correctly. The chamber will be checked for leaks/unexpected outgassing
and if there are any concerns a supervisor will be consulted to avoid any possibility of N 2 asphyxiation. Before sparged samples
are introduced into glovebox, they will be purged in the entry ports located on the outside of the glovebox. For the small port, a
two-minute purge will suffice, and for the large port, a 30-minute purge is necessary. For sealed powders, upon entry into the
glovebox they will be dissolved in appropriate buffers/water inside their sealed container, and only then will they be allowed to be
opened. When handling samples inside the glovebox, attention must be brought to handling everything with care, to prevent any
accidental spills when using the large glovebox gloves.

Note: chemicals/samples in a powder/crystalline form will never be taken into glove boxes unless in a sealed container, as
the powder will disperse and stay suspended in the air.

UV-vis spectrophotometer
There is a risk of electrical shock associated with the operation of a UV-visible absorption spectrometer and the computers that
control their operation. Only dismantling the equipment will expose the user to this risk. If normal procedures for operation of the
equipment are followed, then there is no risk associated with the work.

Chemical use
Sodium ascorbate and sodium dithionite are used to partially and fully reduce the sample, respectively. In the event of a spill, do
not walk away from a spill, instead ask for assistance from a competent person. Waste containing sodium dithionite will be placed
in a labelled waste jar for proper disposal.

Broken glassware
Broken glass and sharps must be placed in the marked containers provided. Stout gloves are provided for clearing broken glass. If
the glass is contaminated with hazardous material, the supervisor, post-doctoral researchers, research technicians or research
students should deal with the situation.

Glovebox venting
There is no danger of suffocation if the glove box were to start venting gas in to CAP 2.18.

Safe working with liquid nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen will be used to ‘snap’ or ‘flash’ freeze samples prior to storage in -80 freezers. Training will be provided for this
activity. There is danger of cold burns and breakage of sample vials during freeze/thaw processes. For flash-freezing samples
ensure the vials have small holes in their lids to prevent accumulation of over pressure. Wear safety glasses and the heavy duty
gloves provided for working with liquid cryogens. When removing samples from liquid nitrogen and -80 freezers you should also
wear the appropriate gloves and safety glasses and be aware of the possibility that sample vials can rupture as they warm to room
temperature.

7. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING REQUIRED: (for any part of the work - specify if necessary)
EYE PROTECTION
X (safety glasses, goggles or full-face visor):
GLOVES
X (specify material if important):
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
(consult safety service first):

8. CONTAINMENT REQUIRED:
 FUMEHOOD : CLASS 1 CLASS 2 CLASS 3 GLOVEBOX
X
DUST EXTRACTION: OTHER:

9. RESTRICTIONS ON USE/ACCESS: (whole or part of work may be specified)

WORK NOT TO BE DONE OUTSIDE NORMALS HOURS :

WORK NOT TO BE LEFT UNATTENDED :

WORK TO BE DONE IN SPECIAL LABORATORY FACILITIES :

OTHER:

10. IS SPECIAL MONITORING OR HEALTH SURVEILLANCE likely to

(e.g. air sampling) be appropriate?

11. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR SPILLAGES: (specify)

Any spillages will be mopped up with paper towel and the area rinsed with water. Contaminated tissue will be contained, and a
waste disposal technician contacted. In cases of contamination of clothing the cloths will be removed. If spillages result in contact
with the skin or eyes the contaminated area should be washed with copious amounts of water. Seek medical help if feeling unwell.
If in contact with eyes use an emergency eye wash station within the lab.

12. SPECIAL FIRST AID PROCEDURES IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT: (specify)

In the event of accidental spillage on body and/or clothing ensure all affected areas are washed with large quantities of water. Seek
advice from colleagues for additional procedures.

13. SPECIAL WASTE DISPOSAL ARRANGEMENTS (specify)

For Reactive Black 5, offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.

14. REFERENCE BOOKS CONSULTED:

Merck – Sigma-Aldrich Safety Data Sheet
Fisher Scientific Material Safety Data Sheet
(online resources consulted 12/10/2021)

15. DECLARATION:
The above information is, to the best of my knowledge, an accurate statement of the known or foreseeable hazards and of the
precautions which are to be taken. It has been discussed with and shown to all persons who will participate in the work.

Signed: Julea Butt (Research Supervisor) Date: 12 October 2021

Copies of this form must be kept centrally in the school and in the laboratory where the work is to be done.

TO BE COMPLETED BY STUDENT BEFORE ANY PRACTICAL WORK IS STARTED

Student name(s): Alejandro Morales Florez Student Registration number: 100314456

Course:

I / We have read and understood the above hazards associated with this project and will take the precautions listed above

Signature(s) ...................................................................... Date ....................9...................