Chemical Risk Assessment Copy
Risk Assessment
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Section 19), employers and those who control workplaces to any extent must identify the hazards in the workplaces under their control and assess the risks to safety and health at work presented by these hazards.
Employers must examine and write down these workplace risks and what to do about them. Ultimately, assessing risk means that anything in the workplace that could cause harm to your employees, other employees and other people (including customers, visitors and members of the public) must be carefully examined. This allows you to estimate the magnitude of risk and decide whether the risk is acceptable or whether more precautions need to be taken to prevent harm. This can be done using a checklist via health & safety audit.
Employers are required to implement any improvements considered necessary by the risk assessment. The aim is to ensure that no one gets hurt or becomes ill.However, it is important to remember that, in identifying hazards and assessing risks, employers should only consider those which are generated by work activities. There is no need to consider every minor hazard or risk that we accept as part of our lives.
The results of any Risk Assessments should be written into the Safety Statement.
Chemical Risk Assessment
The risk assessment is determined by the likelihood of a hazard happening by the severity of the outcome.
Hazard: Chemical e.g.
- Cleaning agents
- Paint
- Ink
- Toner
- Varnish
Risks:
- Personal injury
- Breathing difficulties
- Asthma
- Dermatitis
- Chemical burns
Likelihood: 5
Severity: 3
Control Measures:
- Use the least harmful chemical for the job.
- Risk assess the chemical using the Safety Data Sheet.
- Ensure there is good general ventilation or/and local exhaust ventilation.
- Ensure there is signage in place to alert staff of the dangers.
- Ensure the Safety Data Sheets are available and communicated to staff.
- Ensure Safe Operating Procedures are in place.
- Always dilute the chemical correctly.
- Dispose of chemical residue correctly i.e. triple rinse the container.
- Ensure correct Personal Protective Equipment is provided and maintained.
