Evaluating risks and hazards
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Explainer Video
Summary
Evaluating risks and hazards
In a nutshell
Hazards and risks must be assessed when working scientifically to prevent any harm.
Risk vs hazard
There are risks and hazards during every experiment.
Hazard | Something which has the potential to cause harm. |
Risk | The likelihood of a hazard causing harm and how it causes harm. |
Common laboratory chemicals
The hazards and risks of common laboratory chemicals are shown below.
chemical | HAZARDS | risks |
| Hydrochloric acid | Corrosive, toxic and an irritant. | Can cause severe burns, eye damage and respiratory issues. |
| Potassium hydroxide | Corrosive, harmful and an irritant. | Can cause severe burns, eye damage and respiratory issues. High concentrations of potassium hydroxide can form a choking mist when reacted with water. |
| Ethanol | Flammable. | Can catch fire, which can develop into large-scale, dangerous fires. |
Hazard labels
To minimise the risks of hazards, labels are used to signify harmful substances. They are placed on the bottle that the substances are stored in.
The purposes of hazards labels are to:
- Warn people about that dangers associated with a particular substance
- Make people aware of the precautions they should take when handling the substance
HAZARD | DESCRIPTION | HAZARD LABEL |
| Harmful/irritant | The irritation to a body surface. |
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| Flammable | The ability for a chemical to ignite and burn. |
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Respiratory sensitiser | Can be the cause of respiratory diseases. |
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| Toxic | Any substance that causes harm to living organisms. |
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| Corrosive | Visible destruction to living tissue. |
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| Oxidising | Substances that intensify burning. |
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Factors affecting risk
Risk is dependent on:
Frequency of exposure | There is a higher risk of harm if someone is exposed to the hazard more often. |
Level of exposure | The higher the amount of hazard in an environment, the higher the risk of harm. |
Safety precautions | If more precautions are taken, risk of harm is minimised. |
Control measures
Control measures are precautions implemented during a scientific investigation to reduce the risk of harm.
Example
The risks of hydrochloric acid causing damage can be mitigated by:
- Using low concentrations of acid
- Wearing gloves
- Wearing goggles
- Working in a fume hood
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What are control measures?
Control measures are precautions implemented during a scientific investigation to reduce the risk of harm.
What is a risk?
A risk is the chance that someone or something will be harmed when exposed to a hazard.
What is a hazard?
A hazard is something that can cause harm to somebody or something.