Chemical Agents Risk Assessments

Introduction:

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations apply to any workplace where hazardous chemical agents are used. The company does not have to be involved in the manufacture of some substance or mixture to come under the requirements of Regulations. Once any hazardous substance is used, for example, even a cleaning or sterilising material, then the Regulations apply.

The employer must identify all the chemical agents in the workplace, determine the hazards associated with them, evaluate the risks and put appropriate measures in place to protect employees. This is the essentials of chemical agents risk assessment.

Hazardous chemical agents include:

  • Substances brought into the workplace and handled, stored and used for processing;
  • Substances generated by a process or work activity, e. g. fumes;
  • Substances or mixtures produced by the work process.

Thousands of people are exposed to hazardous chemical agents at work. If the exposure is not controlled, it can cause serious illness, sometimes even death. The effects of hazardous chemicals may be immediate or long-term and range from mild skin irritation to chronic lung disease. What you, as an employer, need to do?

Please give us a call, fill in our Enquiry Form or E-mail us for further information and we will assist you to complete chemical agents risk assessment at your workplace.

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