School of Engineering COSHH/Risk Assessment

TITLE OF EXPERIMENT/PROCEDURE:
Coefficient of Discharge in Flowmeters [3rd year module ENGG09036]
RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF ACADEMIC STAFF: Dr A Durrant
ASSESSMENT DATE: 10/03/2014
Students are required to study the safety sheet and discuss its contents with an
academic supervisor before being allowed to start work on the experiment.
Type of Experiment/Procedure and a Brief Description
A laboratory scale rig produced by Armfield uses a pump to draw water from the
base of a tank that is then passed through different in-line flowmeters where the
pressure drop is measured.
Brief description of nature of hazard
Water, mercury, electricity, rotating (guarded) equipment.

Level of risk (as calculated in the table below if appropriate)

Open laboratory with good working practice, with or without simple extra
precautions.
Control measures
Experiment is under the supervision of an academic member and a technical
member of staff, both of whom have had health and safety training. Students wear
safety glasses and fully buttoned lab coats at all times.
Calculation of risk
Substance

Quantity

Properties

Methods

Water

Combined
exposure factor

Toxic
hazard

Risk
factor

Containment
level

24

School of Engineering COSHH/Risk Assessment

Calculation of the Exposure Factor (CEF)

The combined exposure factor takes into account the following:
Q the weight or volume of the substance being used;
P the physical properties of the substance;
M the methods/operational procedure and/or how it is handled.

Quantity
Q

Physical
Properties
P

Methods/
Operating
Procedure
M

Weight
<500mg
500mg 5.0g
5.0 100g
>100g

Volume*
<0.5ml
0.5 5.0ml
5.0 100ml
>100ml

Dense solid; Dilute solution; Non-volatile liquid (Bp >

180oC); No skin absorption likely;
Dusty solid; Concentrated solution; Volatile liquid (Bp
<100oC); Low skin absorption possible;
Allergens; Gas; Aerosol; Very volatile liquid (Bp<80oC);
Skin absorption likely; Skin absorption promoter;
Weighing
Washing up
Surgery
Disposing of waste
Diluting
Clipping and/or shaving hair
Injecting
Bathing
Sampling
Soaking
Filtering
Gassing solutions
Drying
Infusion
Homogenising
Machining: Milling; Lathing
Chromatography
If any of the above procedures is already suitably
enclosed, then reduce the score to 1
Welding
Grinding
Clipping and/or shaving
dry hair

Spraying
Soldering

Score
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1

COMBINED EXPOSURE FACTOR

CEF = Q x P x M
NOTE: A detailed assessment is required for use of gas mixtures containing
O2, N2 and CO2, liquid N2 and solid CO2

School of Engineering COSHH/Risk Assessment

The Determination of the Toxic Hazard [TH]

The Department of Biological Sciences classifies toxic substances into four
groups, as shown below. The grouping arrangement is an accurate guide, using
a range of typical examples, but the listing is incomplete. Staff, researchers and
students should classify any new or different substances to be consistent with the
categories below.
Category

HH
High Hazard

MH
Medium Hazard

LH
Low Hazard
NH
No Hazard

Typical Characteristics
Allergens
Carcinogens, Teratogens, Mutagens
Endocrinologically or Pharmacologically
Active Substances (Harmful to humans at
<1mg/day)
Respiratory irritants
Plant, animal or bacterial toxins of very high
potency
Substances with an OES of <0.1 ppm, with
an MEL
An unknown substance
Substances classified under CPL as either
toxic; very toxic; or corrosive
Endocrinologically or pharmacologically active
substances (harmful to humans at
<50mg/day)
Substances with an OES of 0.1 10ppm
Skin irritants (including substances that might
cause dermatitis, but excluding allergens)
Substances classified under CPL as harmful
Substances with an OES in the range 10
500 ppm
Substances not matching criteria for CPL
classification as dangerous.

TH Score

2
1

CPL The classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Substances

Regulations 1984
OES Occupational Exposure Standard (refer to latest edition of guidance note
EH40)

School of Engineering COSHH/Risk Assessment

Calculating the Risk Factor [RF] and selecting the Containment Measures
The numerical value for the risk factor acts as a guide to the Containment
Measures
As far as is reasonably practicable, the final choice of Containment Measures
must allow the maintenance of a healthy and safe working environment.
Within the School three general types of Containment Measures are recognised.
Experiments may be performed under one of the following:
1. In an open laboratory using good working practice [GWP].
2. In a partially closed system, eg a fume cupboard.
3. Only when very special precautions have been taken.
Before a final decision about the Containment Measures is made, consideration
must be given to the known or suspected consequences of repeated exposure to
the hazard.
Combined Exposure
Factor
CEF = Q x P x M

Toxic Hazard Factor

Risk Factor

TH = Toxic Hazard Score

RF = CEF x TH

Risk Factor
Score
Up to 24

Containment
Level
1

25-60

>60

Control
Measures
Open laboratory with good working practice,
with or without simple extra precautions.
Some containment advisable or necessary,
eg fume cupboard or other special cubicle.
STOP !!!
If your assessment results in a
recommendation of Containment Regime of
3 then special precautions are essential.
Therefore the person who has produced the
assessment must discuss the procedure
with the Local Health & Safety
representative, the Head of School and the
University Safety Officer. As appropriate,
specialist advice should be sought. A
written report of the nature of the procedure
and the conclusions reached should be
prepared. Copies should be held by the
Local Health and Safety representative and
the University Safety Officer.

NOTE: The Risk Factor value is intended as a guide, to prompt careful

consideration of the potential hazard and the kind of containment measures that
might be necessary, either for part or the whole of an experiment/procedure.