Risk assessment in an Analytical Chemistry Laboratory by the William Fine Method

Abstract

In analytical chemistry laboratories, the basic principles of the study of the chemical composition of a material or sample are verified experimentally, through different methods of analysis, for which reason chemical and biological agents are handled daily, to which workers are exposed; hence the need to assess the risk of exposure. The objective of this work was to evaluate the risks in an analytical chemical laboratory using the semi-quantitative method of William Fine, for which a multidisciplinary commission was created made up of specialists and experts with experience in the subject. It was determined that there is a direct relationship between the chemical, fire and explosion risks, the emanation of vapors of volatile substances, due to very high temperatures, or close to sources of ignition that can cause a fire, and generate a chain of events that, when reacting with other substances, can lead to explosions. The chemical and fire risks were evaluated as critical risks, which require immediate stoppage of the activity, and the mechanical, environmental, explosion, and biological risks were evaluated as notable risks, which require an urgent necessary correction.