Please carry out your own risk assessment for your own context. 

Use of bunsens for sterile technique

• When working with the bunsen flame gloves should NOT be worn, as their use increases the chance of burn injuries if the glove melts.
• Ensure that your hair is tied up.
• Only light the bunsen when it is required, and switch off when not in use.
• If left unattended, close the air vent so that the flame is visible.
• Avoid placing any flammable liquids near the bunsen flame. Remove any paper from the area.
• Never attempt to heat sealed containers or flammable solvents (such as IMS or isopropanol).
• In the event of fire involving the bunsens, the gas cut-off button at the front of the lab should be used to remove the ignition source. This cut-off is located on the wall next to the main entrance.

Flaming with alcohol (sterilization of plate spreaders)

• When working with the bunsen flame gloves should NOT be worn, as their use increases the chance of burn injuries if the glove melts.
• The alcohol (IMS) is a mix of ethanol and methanol and so is flammable. Additionally, this mixture is toxic by ingestion or inhalation, and may cause damage to organs. It can also cause serious eye damage or irritation by contact. If in contact with the skin, wash off immediately with plenty of water.
• Ensure that your hair is tied up.
• The alcohol bath should be kept as far as is practicable from the bunsen flame.
• Be careful that the alcohol is not dripping from the spreader when you flame it, as falling drops of alcohol may ignite surfaces below.
• Never place the hot glass spreader back into the bath as this may ignite the alcohol.
• If the alcohol bath does ignite then carefully replace the glass lid – this will smother the flames.

Preparation of agarose gel and gel electrophoresis

• Be aware that agarose becomes very hot when microwaving and ensure that you wear heat-proof gloves when removing the gel from the microwave.
• Before running the gel check that the cables, plug and casing of the gel tank are intact and undamaged to avoid the potential for electric shocks.
• Do not switch on the power supply until the gel tank lid has been fitted, and always switch off the power before removing the gel tank lid.

Centrifuges

• Before using the centrifuge check that the cables, plug and casing are intact and undamaged to avoid the potential for electric shocks.
• Always ensure that centrifuge tubes are balanced against each other inside the machine. This is to prevent damage to the centrifuge and personal injury.
• Never centrifuge glass test tubes.

Hot blocks

• Before using the hot block check that the cables, plug and casing are intact and undamaged to avoid the potential for electric shocks.
• Take note of the temperature of the hot block, and if set to a high temperature then use the metal tongs provided (in your bench drawers) to place and remove eppendorfs from the block.
• Be careful of the hot block casing, as this can also become very hot.
• Do not attempt to heat flammable substances within the hot block.
• Do not tamper with the temperature setting as this will have already been set for the class.

Waterbaths

• Check that the cables, plug and casing are intact and undamaged to avoid the potential for electric shocks.
• When using a waterbath at 60 °C or higher, use either metal tongs or heat resistant gloves to place and remove items.

Glass slides and coverslips

• Take care when handling slides and coverslips as they can be easily broken if handled too roughly. In the event of injury please inform a class demonstrator as the wound may need to be sterilised.
• Broken slides and coverslips should be decontaminated in virkon and placed into the broken glass bin. Never place broken glass into the yellow bins or general waste bins.

Razor blades and scalpels

• Take care when handling razor blades and scalpels as they are extremely sharp.
• With razor blades ensure you hold the blunt side of the blade when handling. The sharp side of the blade will be sheathed in paper and this should be removed very carefully when using for the first time.
• Do not walk around the lab with the blade/scalpel.
• When finished you should leave the blade/scalpel on your station. NEVER place them into the yellow bins or general waste bins; we will dispose of them for you.

Mounted needles

• Take care when using the mounted needle as it is extremely sharp.
• Do not walk around the lab with the needle.
• Please let us know if you accidentally pierce your skin as it may require medical attention.

Use of needles to clear protein gel wells

• Handle needles with care as they are extremely sharp. Do not walk around the lab with unsheathed needles.
• Never place needles into the yellow bins or the general waste bins. We will dispose of needles into a sharps bin for you.

Acupuncture needles

• These needles are extremely thin and so be careful when handling them to insure you do not drop or lose them. Avoid puncturing yourself with the needles, as once opened within the lab they will no longer be sterile.
• Place used needles into the pots provided in the bay; DO NOT dispose of them into the yellow bin or the general waste bin.

Use of the Blue LED transilluminator for cutting out gel fragments

• The transilluminator uses LED blue light to allow the viewing of DNA bands within the agarose gel.
• This is a safe source of light when used with the amber shield. Therefore always ensure that you view the gel through the amber shield.
• Take care when using the razor blade to cut out the gel fragment (see previous, “Razor blades and scalpels”).

Gassing with nitrogen gas

• Wear goggles before carrying out this process.
• When gassing your samples take care to turn the nitrogen tap on slowly. If it is done too quickly then the contents of the tube may splash and froth upwards.
• When finished, ensure that the nitrogen tap is turned off fully.

Specific risks associated with Experimental design sessions

• Knives: Be cautious when using knives and ensure that all cutting is done on the supplied chopping boards. Do not carry knives around the lab.
• Alcohol baths: Ensure that you fill your alcohol bath to no more than 1/3 full. See “Flaming with alcohol (sterilization of plate spreaders)”. When finished, empty your alcohol into the “waste solvent” winchester located on the sinks.
• Flammable solvents: Never flame a tube containing solvents, such as ethanol, isopropanol, IMS or acetone. Never heat these solvents and DO NOT pour them down the drains.
• Hammers: Place the coconut inside a plastic bag before using the hammer to break it open. This is to prevent shards of shell from flying everywhere.
• Marbles: Any dropped marbles should be picked up immediately to reduce the possibility of slipping.