Risk Assessment of Commonly Used Organic Solvents in Chemistry Laboratories in Faculty of Science-Gharyan University

Tariq A. Gnaidi
Abdounasser A. Omar
Yusra I. Aboulkhayr
Intisar S. Shaglof
Marwah M. Alarabi
This study integrates compliance evaluations and organic solvent risk assessments to enhance laboratory safety in Gharyan University chemistry laboratories. Six laboratories (Analytical, Biochemistry, Organic, Physical, Inorganic, Research) were assessed for safety compliance across five elements: storage, PPE, usage areas, emergency management, and documentation. Concurrently, a systematic risk assessment was performed for seven common organic solvents (ether, chloroform, benzene, methanol, hexane, acetone, ethanol), considering inherent hazard severity and laboratory-specific probability. Results showed moderate overall compliance (26.09%-38.26%), with the Organic laboratory exhibiting the highest. "Emergency Management" was a universal weakness (20.00% compliance). Risk assessment revealed 62.5% of solvent-laboratory combinations posed very high risks, with ether, chloroform, and benzene consistently hazardous. A clear link emerged between laboratory compliance and risk profiles; hi.