GROUP 1

What is
Biorisk
 Biorisk generally refers to the risk associated with biological
materials and/or infectious agents.
 The term has been used frequently for various purposes since
the early 1990s. The term is used by regulators, laboratory
personnel and industry alike and is used by WHO (World
Health Organization)
 WHO/Europe also provides tools and training courses in
biosafety and biosecurity.
1. Physical Biorisk
2. Chemical Biorisk
3. Microbiological Biorisk
 Physical hazard are based on the intrinsic
properties of the chemical.
 There are five main classes of physical
hazard namely Explosive, Flammable,
Oxidizing, Gases under Pressure and
Corrosive to metals.
 May explode if exposed to fire, heat, shock,
friction.
• Avoid ignition sources (sparks, flames, heat)
• Keep your distance
• Wear protective clothing
 Flammable if exposed to ignition sources,
sparks, heat. Some substances with this symbol
may give off flammable gases in contact with
water.
• Avoid ignition sources (sparks, flames, heat)
• Keep your distance
• Wear protective clothing
 Can burn even without air, or can intensify fire in
combustible materials.
• Avoid ignition sources (sparks, flames, heat)
• Keep your distance
• Wear protective clothing
 Contains gas under pressure. Gas
released may be very cold. Gas container
may explode if heated.
• Do not heat containers
• Avoid contact with skin and eyes
 May corrode metals.
• Keep away from metals
Chemical hazards and
toxic substances pose a
wide range of health
hazards (such as
irritation, sensitization,
and carcinogenicity)
and physical hazards
(such as flammability,
corrosion, and
explicability).
 Exposure to substances or mixtures in the
workplace can occur through inhalation,
absorption through the skin or ingestion. Most
exposure occurs through the inhalation of vapors,
dusts, fumes or gases. For some chemicals,
absorption through the skin may also be a main
source of exposure.
• Hazardous chemicals in the workplace are substances,
mixtures and materials that are classified according to their
health and physicochemical risks and dangers.
• Hazards include skin irritants, carcinogens or respiratory
sensitizers that have an adverse effect on a worker’s health
as a result of direct contact with or exposure to the
chemical, usually through inhalation, skin contact or
ingestion.
• Physicochemical hazards generally result from a
substance’s physical and chemical properties, as is the
case with flammable, corrosive, oxidizing or explosive
substances.
 Microbiological hazard
occurs when food becomes
contaminated by microorganisms
found in the air, food, water, soil,
animals and the human body.
Many microorganisms are helpful
and necessary for life itself.
However, given the right
conditions, some microorganisms
may cause a foodborne illness.
EXAMPLE OF HAZARD RISKS AND ITS SOLUTION
RISK
PHYSICAL HAZARD
• Unorganized and exposed wirings
CHEMICAL HAZARD
• Inhalation of harmful chemicals
MICROBIOLOGICAL HAZARD
• Unsanitized laboratory tools that
are prone to contamination
SOLUTION
• Cover the exposed wirings with
duck tape and organize the wirings
• Wearing of protective mask when
doing laboratory experiments
• Make sure to sanitize the
laboratory tools before and after
the experiment and store in a safe
place
 LABORATORY HOUSEKEEPING AND SAFETY RULES
1. Keep volatile and inflammable solvents away from open flames.
2. Always use reagents, water and gas economically.
3. Never touch chemicals with your bare hands now taste chemicals
unless otherwise directed to do so.
4. Avoid contamination of reagents. Be careful in getting the reagent
from its bottle.
5. Corrosive acids and strongly caustic substances should be carefully
handled. Spilled acids on the skin are neutralized with sodium
bicarbonate, while strong bases, with dilute acetic acid and then
washed off immediately with plenty of water.
6. When preparing dilute solutions, always add acid to water never
water to acid.
7. Always wipe off and clean your working area or bench to remove
spilled solids, acids and other liquids.
8. Waste acids should be poured into disposal jar and not into sink.
9. Insoluble refuse should be thrown in the waste can, not in the sink or
gutter.
10. Eating and Smoking are strictly prohibited.
11. Avoid inhalation of toxic vapors by working in a well, ventilated
hood.
12. Should an odor test be necessary, do not inhale the vapor directly
from the test tube but instead, waft a bit of vapor towards your
nose.
13. When heating, always use a non-luminous flame that is not more
than two inches high. Always turn off gas burner when not in use.
14. Always carefully set aside heated objects to cool.
15. Protect your hands with towel or rag when a glass rod, glass tubing,
or a thermometer is to be inserted or removed from stoppers.
16. Report all accidents, even minor ones, to the instructor.
17. Record all observations and data immediately in your datasheet.
18. On completion of each experiment, wash all apparatus used and
return them to the stockroom or into the assigned locker.