Risk assessment of chemical handlingKarolinska Institutet

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Agenda of today

•Danger, risk and exposure – what is the difference?•What does the labelling of

the packaging mean?• Why risk assessment?•How to reason about risk

assessment?

•How to find relevant information for a risk assessment in a safety data sheet.

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What is a chemical?

A chemical substance = an elemental substance or a chemical compound that is formed by nature or synthesized by the industry.

A “chemical” = a chemical substance or a chemical product

A chemical product = can be comprised by a single chemical substance or a mixture of solid, liquid and/or gaseous chemical substances.

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What is a dangerous chemical product?

Definition: a product that is classified as dangerous according to KIFS 2005:7 or CLP.

I.e., a product that can cause unwanted health effects or accidents due to its toxicological or physical-chemical properties.

Substances that for example are toxic, harmful, corrosive, allergic, irritating, CMR, flammable, explosive, oxidizing or chemical unstable.

How do you know if a chemical is hazardous?

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KIFS 2005:7

Very toxic

Toxic Harmful Irritant

Dangerous for the environment

Corrosive

Oxidizing agent

Explosive Extremely flammable

Highly flammable

Or like this

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CLP

One example of labelling

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SUPER GLUE

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE.TOXIC BY INHALATION, IN CONTACT WITH SKIN AND IF SWALLOWED.

Keep away from sources of ignition – No smoking.Avoid contact with skin and eyes.In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.Wear suitable gloves and eye/face protection.In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label where possible).

RISK PHRASES HAZARD SYMBOL

SAFETY PHRASES

Toxic Highly flammable

Another example of labelling

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SOLVENT

Danger

Highly flammable liquid and vapour. Causes serious eye irritation. May cause drowsiness or dizziness.

Keep out of reach of children.Keep away from sparks/open flames – No smoking.Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.Wear eye protection.IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.Contains: substance x, substance y

PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENT

HAZARD PICTOGRAM

HAZARD STATEMENT

SIGNAL WORD

Danger, exposure and risk– what is the difference?

A chemical can be dangerous without causing to much of a risk for the person who are working with it. The intrinsic danger is constant, the toxic effect is a matter of dose.*

Exposure is when an organism is subject for a substance, a feature or a infectious substance.

If you handle the dangerous chemical in a proper way and use protective measuresand/or PPE in a correct way, it is possible tolimit/avoid exposure and thereby minimize therisk of getting injured.

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Danger

* For CMR-substances there are usually no threshold doses.

Separate danger and risk

Risk comprises of (simplified) two factors:• The intrinsic characteristics of the chemical

(danger). • How the chemical is used and handled

(exposure).

Why perform a risk assessment?

FOR YOUR OWN AND YOUR COLLEAGUES SAFETY!

Risk assessment contributes to:A safer work environment

Increased consciousness of risks

Swedish regulations of risk assessment

AFS 1997:10 ”Laboratory Work with Chemicals”

AFS 2000:4 ”Chemical Hazards in the Working Environment”

The provisions of The Swedish Work Environment Authority controls the risk assessment of chemicals

AFS 2011:19 ”Chemical Hazards in the Working Environment ” (enters into force 1st of July 2012)

Regulates, for instance:Risk assessments must be documentedWhat precautionary measures that must be taken care of

What to observe when performing a risk assessment

• The danger of the chemical hazard• If and when measures are needed to limit the risk of

exposure

When performing the risk assessment you need to observe the following elements:

• How the dangerous properties can be expressed • What kind of exposure it is and its level and duration• If there are any combined effects and possible reactions with

other risk hazards• Experiences from other accidents and incidents• Etc.

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The result of the risk assessment

• The assessment must result in decisions of arrangements to be made to limit the risks

• The result and the decisions made must be documented• Example of what should be written in the result/decision:

• What part of the work that is covered• When chemical risks must be obviated or limited• Appropriate protective measures and when they must be

implemented• Who has been taking part of the risk assessment, who has authorized

it and the date

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Risk assessment of CMR

CMR = carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic to reproduction

The following information shall be provided with particular clarity:• Where the CMR-substances are used and what

precautionary measures that are taken to assure that only authorized personnel are working with the substances

• Protective measures to minimize the exposure• When personal protective equipment is needed• How monitoring is done so that abnormalities can be

discovered early

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Obligation to keep register

• Register shall be kept for personnel that are working with carcinogenic and mutagenic substances*• Name of the employee• Work tasks• What chemical hazard the employee has been exposed to• Measured or estimated rate of exposure• Violation of the provision means penalty of 30 000 SEK

* That meet the criteria for classification with certain hazard statements/risk phrases, e.g H350 or R45 ”May cause cancer”. Register shall also be kept for preparation/work with defined substances. See details in §40 AFS 2011:19.

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Who should perform the risk assessment?

• A person that is familiar with the process and has good knowledge of chemical hazards.

• Other persons with good knowledge of the process can preferably participate in the risk assessment and make a quality review.

• The head of the research group or other person in charge shall approve the risk assessment.

Who should take part of the risk assessment?

• Everyone that are supposed to work with the method – before the work is started!

• When introducing a new method, in addition to the practically operations.

• And of course, the head of the research group or other person in charge.

So many methods and so little time…

How to prioritize?

• In what methods are the most dangerous chemicals handled (Risk Category A, ”Very high risk” in KLARA)?

• Where are the biggest amounts handled/highest risk for exposure?

• How many are working with the method/work with it often?

• What steps are included in the method? What are the conditions during the work?

So many methods and so little time…(cont.)

• The intrinsic danger of the chemicals? Reaction products? Risk of explosions or other unwanted chemical reactions?

• When in the process do risks occur? Necessary protective measures?

• Make decisions of working method, equipment, spot, protective measures, instructions, preparedness and information.

• The documentation must be dated and signed by the responsible supervisor and should also state the names of the individuals thathave participated in the risk assessment.

Risk assessment in KLARA

Today the Karolinska Institutet uses KLARA to:

-perform chemical inventory

-perform risk assessments of chemicals

More information of the risk assessment module in KLARA later this afternoon!

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Where do I find the information (of risks)?

• You and your colleagues know the method, and thereby have knowledge when the handling can lead to exposure of chemicals

• Where to find information on the hazards of the chemicals:• By the labelling of the packaging• In the safety data sheet (MSDS)• Any other information from the producer of the chemical

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Safety data sheets (MSDS/SDS)

• By law all dangerous chemicals must have a safety data sheet (MSDS/SDS), that must be provided to professional users of the chemical.

• An MSDS always consist of 16 sections.• An MSDS gives information about what substances that

are included in the chemical product, how to protect yourself, first aid measures, handling of waste etc.

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The labelling of the product give some information. But to gain more knowledge of the hazard of the chemical, and how to protect yourself, you have to read the safety data sheet.

How to read a safety data sheet

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Question Read the following sections

How dangerous is the chemical for humans and the environment?

2. Hazards identification (a short summary)11. Toxicological information (health)12. Ecological information (environment)15. Regulatory information (classification/labelling)

How do I protect myself and others? 8. Exposure controls / Personal protection4. First aid measures

What do I do if a fire starts where the chemical is or if I spill out the chemical?

5. Fire-fighting measures (eg. extinguishing media)6. Accidental release measures

How do I handle the product when it has turned into waste?

13. Disposal considerations (of the chemical and the packaging)

Composition/information on ingredients and their classifications (+ CASnr/EGnr) is found under section 3. Information from the other sections can be of interest for persons performing a risk assessment or transporting the chemical.

Why routines for handling of chemicals?

• To prevent risks and accidents.• To facilitate the work for everyone that are using the

chemicals.• To keep track of all chemicals that are used.• To assure knowledge of handling, storage, labelling

and personal hygiene.• To contribute to risk reduction when chemicals are

purchased.

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Handling of chemicals

• Always gain information (e.g. safety data sheets) before you use the product.

• Use personal protective equipment if needed.• Use technical equipment to lower the exposure.• Take care of residual chemicals according to the

safety data sheet or according to the routines of KI.• Equipment for ”first aid” and handling of

emergencies shall be available and known by everyone at work.

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Labelling of chemicals

• Shall normally be stored in its original packaging.• If a smaller amount is needed, assure that the new

packaging is suitable for the object.• The alternative packaging must be identically

labelled as the original packaging.• It must always be possible to understand what

substances the alternative packaging contains, and what risks it can cause.

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