Hazards and Risks Flashcards
What is a hazard?
Anything that has the potential to cause harm or damage.
What is a risk?
The risk associated with that hazard is the probability of someone or something being harmed if they are exposed to the hazard.
What does oxidising mean?
Provides oxygen which allows other materials to burn more fiercely e.g. liquid oxygen.
What does harmful mean?
Can cause irritation, reddening or blistering of the skin e.g. bleach.
What does environmental hazard mean?
Harmful to organisms and to the environment e.g. mercury.
What does highly flammable mean?
Catches fire easily e.g. petrol.
What does toxic mean?
Can cause death by swallowing, breathing in, or absorption through skin e.g. hydrogen cyanide.
What does corrosive mean?
Destroys materials, including living tissues (e.g. eyes and skin) e.g. concentrated sulfuric acid.
What is a risk assessment?
A procedure where you identify all of the hazards and what risks are associated with the hazards in an experiment.
How can you reduce the risk of hazards?
Examples include using low concentrations of the substance, and wear gloves, a lab coat and goggles when handling chemicals.
