SPARQ-ed Risk Assessment Sheet : Immunofluorescence

Hazard Analyse / Evaluate Risk Overall Risk Category Description of Risk Source Current Controls Event Category Consequences Exposure Probability (see explanation on last page) Exposure PPE worn (gloves, closed Prob footwear, and safety Chemical exposure - VR R U O F C Exposure to Chemical Agents : Risk of Unusual : goggles provided). Use body contact, spills Unusual but eye and skin exposure to chemicals Immuno- AC Low Low Low Low Mod Subs of potentially harmful and splash and Other Contact Minor : General Possible: Less likely (such as fixation / permeabilisation fluorescence QP Low Low Low Low Low Mod Chemical chemicals/substances in inhalation (eg. 4% with Chemical or chemicals used would to occur with the buffer containing 4% staining not a UP Low Low Low Low Low Low fume cupboard/safety paraformaldehyde is Substance be irritants only. control measures but paraformaldehyde) throughout the common cabinet. MSDS available. irritant to eyes and not impossible. RP Low Low Low Low Low Low staining procedure. procedure. Well documented skin). C Low Low Low Low Low Low procedures. PI Low Low Low Low Low Low

Personal precaution Exposure procedures to be Prob followed in case of VR R U O F C Sharps : Immunoflourescence is injury. PPE worn Sharps injury (cuts or Unusual : AC Low Low Low Low Mod Subs generally performed with sections on (wearing gloves, closed slicing of fingers) Immuno- Conceivable : Sharps slides or with cells on coverslips. shoes, lab coat and from broken Hitting Objects Minor : May require fluorescence injury is likely to QP Low Low Low Low Low Mod Immunofluorescence staining of cells Mechanical safety goggles are coverslips or pointed with Part of first aid for minor cuts. staining not a occur when using on coverslips - using sharp pointed available). First aid kit tweezers (coverslips Body. UP Low Low Low Low Low Low common poor technique. tweezers to move coverslips in and available in the lab. are very thin and procedure. RP Low Low Low Low Low Low out of a 24-well plate. Disposing of broken glass break easily). into the appropriate bin C Low Low Low Low Low Low (sharp bin). Handling of coverslips with tweezers. PI Low Low Low Low Low Low Exposure Prob Muscular eye strain VR R U O F C from use of Avoiding prolonged use AC Low Low Low Low Mod Subs Use of Fluorescence Microscope : fluorescent Conceivable : of fluorescent Unusual : This is Analyse immunofluorescence stained microscope for a Minor : Minor eye Unlikely to occur if Muscular microscope - ensure Muscular Stress not a common QP Low Low Low Low Low Mod cells under a fluorescent micoscope. sustained period strain may cause short breaks are (Strain) several short breaks. (Other) laboratory This involves sitting at a microscope without breaks . headaches. taken several times UP Low Low Low Low Low Low Avoid looking at the light procedure. for a sustained period. Ocular burns from during analysis. source directly. RP Low Low Low Low Low Low exposure to ultraviolet light. C Low Low Low Low Low Low

PI Low Low Low Low Low Low

Explanation of Overall Risk Categories

Exposure Very Rare (VR) – Rare (R) – hardly every Unusual (U) – does not Occasional (O) – Frequent (F) – occurs Continuous (C) – occurs extremely rare (has not occurs (but has been occur often (from once sometimes occurs (from often (approximately repeatedly (or many yet occurred known to occur) per month to once per once per week to once once daily) times daily) year) per month)

Probability (Prob) Almost Certain (AC) – is Quite Possible (QP) – is Unlikely but Possible Remotely Possible (RP) – Conceivable (C) – has Practically Impossible the most likely and quite possible, not (UP) – Would be an would be a remotely never happened after (P) – has never expected result if the unusual, has an even unusual sequence or possible coincidence many years of exposure, happened after many hazard event takes place 50/50 chance coincidence but is conceivably years of exposure and is possible virtually impossible

Overall Risk Category Low – risk is normally Moderate (Mod) – Substantial (Subs) – High – immediate Very High (VH) – acceptable should be dealt with as should receive attention correction required immediate correction soon as possible but as soon as possible required situation is not an emergency

The Overall Risk Category for each element is highlighted in green.