For Office Use Only

File Reference:
File Date:
Review Date:
Department of Engineering Type of Activity:
Location: Geology

Risk Assessment / Method Statement / Sequence of Work Form RAMS1(June 15)

1: Written By: BEN CLARK Sign: Date:

Approved By: DR. DAVE WESTON Sign: Date:

* If this RA/MS is issued to several persons, each should sign overleaf - Copies of this RA/MS must be issued to all participating persons.

Activity / Project Title (Course): Study of SiC Nanoparticle Processing in A356 Al Alloy – Ball Milling

Location: Geology Dept.

(Please use additional sheet if required)

2: Examples of Common Hazards (Please Tick all that apply)

Machinery / tools X COSHH X Falling Objects Lighting Striking Object

Chemical Hazard X Electrocution Fire Manual Handling Toxic Gases

Climate
X Lasers Explosion Flooding Noise Traffic
D
Material Ejection Display Screens Fall from Height Lifting Equipment Abrasion Slip/Trip Hazards
e
Ionising Radiation p Vibration Other (please specify)
t
3: Using the list above . and your knowledge of the activity, select the SIGNIFICANT hazards
Give priority to ,hazards where the numbers of persons at risk, probability or severity are high.
e
Significant
o Hazards Number of
Rate the hazards using the Risk Rating Analysis Matrix given in Table 1 below. Ignore minor hazards Risk
l Persons at Probability Severity
covered by normal safe working practices. State the Signal Word if using chemicals this can be found Rating
on the materials safety data sheet. o Risk
g
y
Handling of sub-micron sized D particles and acids (COSHH–skin 1 1 3 3
irritation {Stearic Acid and Silicon e Carbide, carcinogen {Silicon
Carbide}, flammable {Silicon, p Aluminium powders})
t
High speed ball milling equipment . (Risk of impact with operator) 2-3 1 3 3

Inhalation of Argon gas 1 1 2 2

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4 : Substances / materials to be used: Hazard Statement
Include substances produced as a by-product and identify Hazard Statements from MSDS- State Hazard Statement if Code/ Risk Phrase
possible or Risk phrases however, please state the risk e.g. (Causes burns-R34) Code:
Refer to Table 3 / MSDS
R 34

Aluminium powder – 14um average particle size (APS). H250 Catches fire spontaneously if H250, H261
exposed to air. H261. When in contact with water releases flammable gas.

Silicon powder – 1-5um APS. H228 Flammable solid. H228

SiC powder (beta-phase) – 45-55nm APS. (H315 Causes skin irritation. H319 Causes serious H315, H319, H351,
eye irritation. H351 Suspected of causing cancer. H335 May cause respiratory irritation.) H335
Stearic Acid. H315: Causes skin irritation H315
Argon gas: H280 Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated. H280

Are less hazardous substances available? Yes/ No

If 'Yes' reasons for not using them?

5: Sequence of Work / Method Statement (Please use additional sheet if required)

Ball milling.
 Ensure area around work station is cleared of trip hazards and that appropriate warning signage is in use.
 Add weighed amounts of Si, SiC and Al to ball mill pot inside of airtight glove bag that is filled with the inert argon
gas, ensuring eye and ear protection and dust masks, are worn.
 Seal and tape all mill pots inside the inert atmosphere before removing and transporting to Geology building for
milling.
 Ensure mill is locked shut, before placing guards in position.
 Run ball mill for allotted time (7 hours at 400 rpm, running 5 mins off, 5 mins on to prevent overheating of powder
mixture).
 Allow for full stop before removing guard and opening ball mill.
 Place mill pots inside airtight glove bag (filled with argon gas) before removing tape and opening.
 Using Stearic acid as an agent for powder removal, remove powder from mill pot inside of airtight glove bag whilst
wearing full PPE equipment including overalls. Put all powder into storage within environment before removing
from glove bag.

Include all controls that reduce the risks from the significant hazards
Control Measures using PPE Ear protection Harness or line Overalls/Lab Coats 
(Tick all that apply) Eye protection  Respirator

 Dust mask  Gloves  Safety Footwear

Other PPE required

(please identify or specify)

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 6: Control Measures: State precautionary and safety statement if possible however, please state the control Precautionary and Safety
measure e.g. ( In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice-S26) Phrase Code:
or All work to be carried out using a fume hood and wearing appropriate PPE (Lab coat, gloves, face and eye S26
protection) - P280, S39 P280, S39

Aluminium Powder:
P223: Keep away from any possible contact with water, because of violent reaction and possible flash fire. P223
P210: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. P210
P222: No smoking. P222
P231: Do not allow contact with air. P231
P232: Protect from moisture. P232
P422a: Store and handle contents under inert gas. P422a
P501a: Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local/regional/national/international regulations. P501a

Silicon Powder:
P210: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. P210
P280a: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P280a
P240: Ground/bond container and receiving equipment. P240
P241: Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/lighting/ equipment P241
P370, P378c: In case of fire: Use for extinction: CO2, sand, extinguishing powder. P370
P378c
Silicon Carbide Nanopowder:
P201: Obtain special instructions before use. P201
P261: Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. P261
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P280
P305, P351, P338: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if P305
present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. P351
P405: Store locked up. P338
P501a: Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local/regional/national/international regulations. P405
P501a
Stearic Acid:
P264: Wash {hands} thoroughly after handling. P264
P280: Wear {protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection}. P280

Argon gas:
P403: Store in a well-ventilated place. P403

7: Relevant Regulations COSHH  LEV

Control of Substances Electricity at Work Local Exhaust Lifting Operations & Lifting
Hazardous to Health regs Ventilation Equipment regs
(Please Tick as Applicable)
 MH NAWR PPE 
Manual Handling regulations Noise at Work Personal Protective Ionising & Non- ionising
regs Equipment Radiation

8: Skills and Competencies

Do all the persons involved in this activity have the skills and competencies required to carry
out the activity? - If YES please Tick
If NO please indicate below the skills and competencies to be acquired as part of the activity. Please seek advice
from supervisor and technical services.
(please use additional sheet if required)

Training in the use of planetary ball mill is acquired before operating.

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9: Resources Required e.g.: Plant, Equipment, Tools, etc. (Please use additional sheet if required)
Planetary Ball Mill and mill pots
Glove Bags

10: Emergency Procedures State S phrases for what to do in an emergency if using a chemical e.g. ( In case of Safety Phrase Code:
contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice-S26) (Please use additional sheet if S26
required) Further information can also be found at http://www.le.ac.uk/eg/safety/ If using chemicals sections 4-6 on the
MSDS explain what to do in an emergency.

S26
S 26 - In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice
S27
S 27 - Take off immediately all contaminated clothing
S 28 - After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of water. S28

S41
S 41 - In case of fire and/or explosion do not breathe fumes

S 45 - In case of accident or if you feel unwell seek medical advice immediately S45

S 62 - If swallowed, do not induce vomiting: seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label S62
S 63 - In case of accident by inhalation: remove casualty to fresh air and keep at rest
S 64 - If swallowed, rinse mouth with water (only if the person is conscious) S63

S64

11: Waste Disposal Procedures (Please use additional sheet if required). Further information can also be found at http://www.le.ac.uk/eg/safety/

Remaining powders will be put back in to their containers and stored in the Mechanics of Materials Lab in the Engineering
building.
S

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12: Additional Information (Please use additional sheet if required)

13: Date RA/MS To Be Reviewed (within 36 months of the date above) if project changes Date:
review immediately
Received / Approved By (Academic Supervisor & Technician/ Experimental Officer) Name:

NOTE: Please attach the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each chemical to this document. The MSDS can be found at
http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/safety-center.html

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 Table 1 - Risk Rating Analysis Matrix

Probability (Likelihood)

1 Very 2 Unlikely 3 Possible 4 Likely 5 Very

Severity Unlikely Likely
(Easily
(Hazard (Freak event – (Unlikely (Foreseeable foreseeable- (Common
No known sequence of under unusual Odd incident occurrence –
Consequence) events) may have
history) circumstances) Aware of
occurred) incidents)

1 Negligible Trivial Trivial Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable

(No visible injury – No
pain)
1 2 3 4 5

2 Slight Trivial Acceptable Acceptable Moderate Moderate

(Minor cuts, bruises –
No long term effects)
2 4 6 8 10

3 Moderate Acceptable Acceptable Moderate Substantial Substantial

(Heavy bruising, deep
flesh wound. Lost 3 6 9 12 15
time accident)

4 Severe Acceptable Moderate Substantial Substantial Intolerable

(Lost time accidents
and major injuries)
4 8 12 16 20

5 Very Severe Acceptable Moderate Substantial Intolerable Intolerable

(Long term disability
or death)
5 10 15 20 25

Table 2 - Interpretation of the Actions and Timescales required relative to the Risk Rating
identified using the above Analysis Matrix.

Risk Rating Action and Timescale

No action is required to deal with trivial risks and no documentary records need be kept (insignificant
Trivial risk). Please note undergraduates are still required to fill out this risk assessment even if an
insignificant risk is determined.
1 to 2
No further preventative action is necessary but consideration should be given to cost-effective
Acceptable solutions or improvements that impose minimal or no additional cost burden. Monitoring is required
3 to 6 to ensure that the controls are maintained.

Efforts should be made to reduce the risk but the costs of prevention should be carefully measured
Moderate and limited. Risk reduction measures should normally be implemented within three to six months,
depending on the number of people exposed to the hazard.
8 to 10
Work should not be started until the risk has been reduced. Considerable resources may have to be
Substantial allocated to reduce the risk. Where the risk involves work in progress, the problem should be
remedied as quickly as possible and certainly within one to three months.
12 to 16
Work should not be started or continued until the risk level has been reduced. While the control
Intolerable measures should be cost-effective, the legal duty to reduce the risk is absolute. This means that if it
is not possible to reduce the risk, even with unlimited resources, then the work must not be started
20 - 25 or must remain prohibited.

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