Chemical Risk Assessment
Prevent exposure to chemicals in the workplace
Chemical risk assessment is all about the safe handling of chemical substances and materials in the workplace. It covers both accident prevention, correct storage and use, and the protection of employees from health risks. At Human House, we help organisations identify, assess, and minimise chemical risks, so both staff and the workplace itself are as well-protected as possible – in full compliance with legal requirements.
Whether your organisation sells, manufactures, imports, or uses chemicals, there is always a risk that your employees may be exposed. Exposure to chemicals can result in irreversible harm, such as cancer, allergies, or birth defects. For this reason, legislation sets strict requirements for the purchase, use, and disposal of chemicals.
A chemical risk assessment is required if you have chemicals in your workplace
If your organisation works with hazardous chemical products, or if dangerous chemicals are generated in your work processes, you must carry out a chemical risk assessment. This assessment must be documented in writing and made available to all employees, together with product inventories and safety data sheets. It is important that the risk assessment covers the aspects that need to be included in the training and instruction of your employees, including whether anyone other than the direct users should be instructed (side-effect impact).
The purpose of the chemical risk assessment is to determine whether your employees are being exposed, and how that exposure can be minimised as much as possible. Proper instruction must therefore be given on safe chemical use, safety measures, and protective equipment. Human House can support your organisation through every step of the chemical risk assessment process.
How we can support your organisation in chemical management
Guidance on requirements and purchasing specifications
Advice on chemical risk assessment, air monitoring, and biological exposure monitoring
Recommendations for substituting chemicals with safer alternatives or improved working procedures
Training and instruction in the correct and safe use of protective equipment
Disposal, sorting, and classification of waste
Ongoing support in daily chemical management
What must you consider when undertaking a chemical risk assessment?
- How hazardous are the substances and materials involved?
- What information on safety and health has the supplier provided?
- How, how much, and for how long are employees exposed?
- How is chemistry worked with in your organisation?
- Are preventive measures effective enough?
- Are there any findings from your own occupational health examinations?
- Has the Danish WEA (Arbejdstilsynet) set limit values?
Know the hazard labels
Hazardous chemicals and products must be labelled with appropriate hazard pictograms. The labelling on the packaging tells you how to store products, protect yourself during use, and dispose of residues correctly.
If you have labelled products in your workplace, you must have clear guidelines for both usage and storage. All employees must have access to safety data sheets, and as an employer you must be able to document your risk assessments relating to chemical work.
The STOP-principle – for the best possible prevention
It is vital that your organisation implements control measures in the right order to maximise prevention. This order is described by the STOP Principle:
- Substitution (using safer alternatives)
- Technical measures
- Organisational measures
- Personal protective equipment
Ensure safety: Take control of your chemicals
At Human House, we help ensure the safe handling of chemicals. Together, we review and organise the chemicals that form part of your workplace processes, assess the risks associated with them, and advise on precautions to take. We also offer user-friendly, tailored systems for chemical management. Our work is complete only when knowledge of purchasing policy, relevant personal protective equipment, and safe usage and disposal of chemicals is firmly established in your organisation’s daily operations.
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