The chemical risk assessment document

At Labor Security System we manufacture effective chemical safety cabinets, but our mission goes far beyond the product itself. In addition to the safety cabinet, to safeguard people's health, a whole company assessment of chemical risk is required, involving the company and workers on several levels.

Not always workers are well informed about the risks of chemical substances, and often not all preventive measures are carried out to ensure the safety of the people involved.

To properly manage the safety and health of workers in the workplace, it is necessary to know the characteristics of the chemical agents handled, and carefully evaluate each aspect of the chemical risk. The substances used in workplace can be dangerous both because of their toxicity characteristics, and because of particular usage that can make them flammable and cause explosions.

The chemical risk assessment document, for which the employer is responsible, starts with the identification of the chemical risk to which each worker is exposed, and it is expressed in an in-depth analysis of the tasks and the substances handled. The actual assessment phase, on the other hand, follows standardized criteria and results in a document that highlights the extent of the risk.

The Chemical Risk Assessment document must contain:

- A paragraph dedicated to the evaluation criteria followed.
It is necessary to indicate on which methodological basis the chemical risk assessment was carried out. It is possible to assess the exposure risk of workers by applying software and parameters that give a precise reference to the substances used in the company and to the exposure of the risk.

- An assessment by task type.
A real risk analysis related to the tasks of each employee within the organization, with the determination of the exposure levels for each type.

- Rules to be followed, by everyone.
That is the indication of all the preventive and protective measures to be adopted to ensure that the risk does not turn into danger.

- A maintenance and improvement program
The program of measures, deemed appropriate, to ensure the improvement of safety levels over time. For example with reference to information and training programs connected to chemical risk.

In this regard an interesting brochure produced by the USL Roma F, health and safety state corporation, allows the employer to check whether the company assessment of the risk from exposure to hazardous substances, contains the necessary information to ensure the risk control and the protection of workers.

The measures can be summarized in the following obligations:
- replacement of dangerous products, if technically possible, with less dangerous products;
- specific information and training for workers;
- supply of suitable equipment for the specific job and related adequate maintenance procedures;
- minimizing the number of workers who are or could be exposed;
- minimization of the duration and intensity of exposure;
- adequate hygiene measures (possibility of frequent hand washing ...);
- minimization of the chemicals quantity present in the workplace according to the needs of the processing;
- Appropriate working methods including provisions that ensure safe handling, storage and transport to the workplace of hazardous chemical agents as well as waste material containing chemical agents;
- design of appropriate work processes and technical controls, as well as use of suitable equipment and materials;
- collective protection measures such as segregations, compartments, assembly of extractor hoods and where possible, implementation of closed work cycles;
- individual protection measures (supply of gloves, masks, overalls, protective tools suitable for the type of substance handled);
- health surveillance of workers;
- specific procedures for cleaning operations and for interventions in the event of an accident or emergency.