Title: OHS pre-workshop quiz

For the following questions, you need to open the material safety data sheet of acetone (click here).

Q: Read through the four scenarios below.

Scenario A
Erkan has recently read about potentially carcinogenic compounds in char-grilled meat.  He decides to stop eating grilled meat altogether (but he still goes to barbecues).

Scenario B
Magda wants to retrieve a 1-litre bottle of ethanol (highly flammable) from the top shelf in the laboratory store room.  There is no ladder, so she places a bucket upside down on a chair and balances on it with one leg while gripping the shelf with one hand to steady herself.  She is worried that she might cause a fire if she drops the bottle.

Scenario C
Emily, Sonia and Aïsha have recently moved into a new share house.  When they pick up the key, the agent mentions asbestos insulation in the walls, but assures them that it is well contained.  However, they soon discover a number of damaged areas in the walls that expose the insulation material.  Emily and Aïsha are not very concerned, but Sonia refuses to enter her bedroom.

Scenario D
Branco is preparing dinner, which involves frying onions, garlic and zucchini in half a centimetre of hot oil in a pan.  The recipe says to pour a cup of water into the pan to make a sauce, but Branco hesitates because he thinks the oil might splash.

Which of these scenarios do you think poses the greatest danger? Rank them in order from 1 (highest level of danger) to 4 (lowest level of danger).
- 1 (highest level of danger) | A
- 2 | B
- 3 | C
- 4 (lowest level of danger) | D
Feedback: We will discuss these scenarios in the OHS workshop.

Q: According to this MSDS, should a pregnant woman be exposed to acetone?
- Yes, acetone is safe to use.
- No, acetone can be harmful to the foetus.
- Unclear (not enough data available).
A: Unclear (not enough data available).
Feedback: Look for 'reproductive toxicity'.

Q: According to this MSDS, which of the following types of substances should not be combined with acetone?
- Bases
- Oxidising agents
- Reducing agents
- Acids
- Halogenated hydrocarbons
- Heavy metals
A: Bases; Oxidising agents; Reducing agents
Feedback: Look for 'incompatible materials'.

Q: According to this MSDS, what should be done if a person has inhaled (a significant amount) of acetone?
- The person should be moved into fresh air. Artificial respiration (CPR) should be performed if the person is not breathing. A doctor should be called.
- Induce vomiting. Rinse the person's face with much water. A doctor should be called.
- The person should be slapped on the cheek to test if he/she is conscious. If conscious, the person should be moved into fresh air. If unconscious, artificial respiration (CPR) should be performed and a doctor should be called.
- The person's eyes and nose should be rinsed thoroughly with water for at least 15 min. A doctor should be called.
A: The person should be moved into fresh air. Artificial respiration (CPR) should be performed if the person is not breathing. A doctor should be called.
Feedback: Look under 'First aid measures'

Q: Which GHS hazard classes does acetone fall into (tick as many options as apply). The nine GHS hazard classes, with their pictograms, are shown below (source: Safe Work Australia).

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- Explosives
- Flammable substances
- Oxidizing agents
- Toxic substances
- Gases under pressure
- Harmful substances (health hazard)
- Corrosive substances
- Chronic health hazards
- Environmental hazards
A: Flammable substances; Harmful substances (health hazard); Chronic health hazards
Feedback: GHS stands for 'globally harmonised system' of hazard classification. More in the workshop.

Q: Approximately 9000 persons die per year* in Australia from "external causes" (accidents, assaults, natural disasters, etc.). What do you think are the most likely causes of death? Match the following categories to the number of deaths (per year).

* based on Australian Bureau for Statistics data in the years 2009-2011.
- Car occupant injured in transport accident | 757
- Fall involving chair | 21
- Contact with marine animal | 4
- Drowning and submersion while in bath-tub | 11
- Exposure to uncontrolled fire in building or structure | 44
- Accidental poisoning by and exposure to organic solvents and halogenated hydrocarbons and their vapours | 3
- Inhalation and ingestion of food causing obstruction of respiratory tract | 56
Feedback: The solution will be given in the OHS workshop.