Hazards and risks

Question 1

corrosive

Definition

Answer 1

Able to damage metal, stonework, clothes and skin. Strong acids and alkalis are corrosive.

Question 2

hazard

Definition

Answer 2

Something that has the potential to cause harm or damage.

Question 3

risk

Definition

Answer 3

The likelihood that a hazard will actually cause harm or damage.

Question 4

risk assessment

Definition

Answer 4

Process of working out the likelihood of harm or damage being caused by identified hazards.

Question 5

A hazard is something that could cause:

Answer 5

• harm to someone
• damage to something
• adverse health effects, either straightaway or later

Question 6

What are concentrated acids, and why is this a hazard?

Answer 6

Concentrated acids are corrosive. This is a hazard because acids can damage skin and clothes if they are spilt.

Question 7

Hazard symbols are used on containers. They are there to:

Answer 7

• indicate the dangers associated with the substance inside

- give information about how to work safely with the substance in the laboratory

Question 8

What are hazards designed to do?

Answer 8

Hazard symbols are designed to provide a warning, even if a person cannot understand the writing that goes with them.

Question 9

What is a risk?

Answer 9

Hazards and risks are connected. A risk is the chance that a hazard will cause harm.

Question 10

When evaluating a risk, think about factors such as:

Answer 10

• the way the hazard causes harm
• how likely it is that someone or something will be exposed to the hazard
• how serious the effects of the hazard could be

Question 11

What is a precaution?

Answer 11

A precaution is something that can be done to reduce a risk of harm. Different substances and different practical procedures need different precautions

Question 12

What does a risk assessment do?

Answer 12

A risk assessment describes the hazards and risks of harm, and what suitable precautions are needed to work more safely.

Question 13

Possible precautions include:

Answer 13

• using less hazardous substances
• wearing eye protection, protective gloves or other protective clothing
• choosing different apparatus or a different method

Question 14

What need to be done when suggesting precautions?

Answer 14

When suggesting suitable precautions, make sure the suggestions are appropriate to the particular procedure. For example, the risk of harm from hydrochloric acid is reduced if the acid is diluted with water, and if eye protection and gloves are worn.

Question 15

Q. Ethanol is a flammable liquid. A student wants to use a Bunsen burner to heat a test tube of ethanol. Explain one suitable precaution, other than wearing eye protection and gloves, to reduce the risk of harm in this procedure.

Answer 15

The student could heat the ethanol using a hot water bath, with water from a kettle. This will reduce the chance of the ethanol catching fire.

Question 16

Why does diluting an acid reduce the hazard?

Answer 16

Concentrated acids can be corrosive. Diluting an acid decreases its reactivity so it is less likely to cause corrosion.

Question 17

What kind of substance should always be heated in a water bath, rather than by a Bunsen burner?

Answer 17

A flammable substance

Question 18

Why should you never eat or drink in a chemistry laboratory?

Answer 18

If you eat or drink in the laboratory you may take in some toxic/poisonous chemicals by accident.

Question 19

What hazard is associated with an oxidising chemical?

Answer 19

It could make another substance burn more quickly

Oxidising agents help things burn.

Question 20

When would wearing protective gloves and eye protection be most appropriate?

Answer 20

Wearing protective gloves and eye protection would reduce the risk of a corrosive substance damaging eyes and skin.