What are Chemical Workplace Risks?
Chemical workplace risks are sources of chemical hazards that may occur in a work environment. A chemical hazard is a chemical product or one or more chemical substances that may cause ill health or accidents, for example due to their hazardous properties or temperature. Risks can arise both during normal use and in the event of an accident, such as spills, leaks, or fires. Common chemical workplace risks include solvents, acids, bases, gases, dust, or fumes released during various processes.
Even substances that are not immediately dangerous can pose long-term health risks, such as being carcinogenic, allergenic, or toxic to reproduction. In addition to direct exposure for those handling the chemicals, risks may also affect others nearby through inhalation, skin contact, or splashes. Therefore, it is crucial to identify, assess, and prevent chemical workplace risks in order to maintain a safe and sustainable working environment.
What are the legal requirements for chemical workplace risks?
EU legislation, including Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH), Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), and Directive 98/24/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work, sets out rules for managing such risks. The purpose of these regulations is to establish how ill health and accidents caused by chemical hazards in the workplace should be prevented. These requirements apply to all workplaces where chemical hazards may occur.
What applies?
The risk that chemical hazards may cause ill health or accidents in the workplace must be investigated and assessed. The chemical hazards that can be expected to occur in the work environment must be identified and listed.
An assessment must be made to determine whether and when measures are needed to reduce the risk that a chemical hazard may cause ill health or accidents in the workplace — for example, through harmful exposure by inhalation or skin contact, splashes to the eyes, formation of flammable mixtures, or fire risks. The results of the risk assessment must be documented.
Further requirements include specific provisions for sensitising substances as well as substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction (CMR), and the obligation to inform workers about the health and safety risks present.
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