Chemical Risk Assessments

Identify, evaluate, and control risks associated with hazardous chemicals in your workplace. Compliance Specialist Brian McFadden breaks down the five steps to a successful Chemical Risk Assessment. Understand regulations and standards that may apply to your facility and visual signals that will help provide information your workers and customers need to stay safe. Before you jump into an assessment, you need some preparation. The first step here is identifying and understanding the specific rules that apply in your circumstances. Some of the most important guidelines for talking about chemical hazards come from the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, or more simply, GHS. This international standard is maintained by the United Nations, and it offers a consistent and comprehensive way to describe many of the dangers that could be posed by a chemical. The GHS approach also includes standardized labeling and documentation for chemicals, which will be very helpful in the later steps of the Chemical Risk Assessment.