FAQs for risk assessment involving hazardous substances

Risk assessment is central to occupational health and safety and forms the basis for systematic and successful safety management. Risk assessment is used to identify and evaluate potential dangers for employees at work and to derive suitable protective measures.

Risk assessments are too often neglected in many companies. A representative company survey as part of the Joint German Occupational Safety and Health Strategy (GDA) has shown almost half of the German companies do not carry out any risk assessments at their workplaces. According to the information provided by the companies concerned, in nearly 30% of the cases, this was due to ignorance of the legal regulations. Above all, however, the non-implementation of risk assessments was justified by the fact that there were no significant hazards in the company or that safety deficits were recognized and reported or eliminated by the employees themselves.

So, is the risk assessment an instrument that can be dispensed with a clear conscience? This question can be answered with a clear "no" - because there are essential reasons that speak for the need for risk assessments:

The employer is always responsible for the risk assessment. A competent person must carry out the practical implementation.

The procedure for risk assessment for activities involving hazardous substances is described in detail in TRGS 400 and follows the following flow chart. The entire process of risk assessment must be documented.

It is essential to get a precise overview of which hazardous substances occur in which quantities and during which activities in the company. For example, are activities involving hazardous substances carried out, or can hazardous substances arise or be released during actions? In what quantities are the hazardous substances produced? This information will be recorded in a directory (register of hazardous substances). Then, it is checked which specific dangers can arise from the properties of the substances. In the case of hazardous substances, inhalation (inhalation), dermal (skin contact), oral (swallowing), and physicochemical hazards (e.g., risk of fire and explosion) must be taken into account, in addition to the type of hazard, a corresponding risk assessment must also be carried out. The level of risk depends, for example, on the extent and probability of occurrence of the damage to be expected. How often and for how long an activity is carried out with hazardous substances also plays a role. Hazmat placards can also play a role in effectively managing hazardous substances. Hazmat placards provide immediate visual warnings about the nature of the hazards, aiding in quick and informed decision-making during risk assessments.

Useful information for you to refer to:

Suitable protective measures are to be derived from the knowledge of the type and level of hazards. When selecting them, the so-called STOP principle applies:

S Substitution – T Technical measures – O Organizational measures – P Personal measures

The order of the measures is synonymous with their prioritization. A technical solution such as B. a pollutant workplace, personal actions such as wearing personal protective equipment is preferable. The effectiveness of the implemented protective measures must be checked regularly. Important information can be obtained, for example, from workplace measurements, information on state-of-the-art, preventive occupational health care, or ("almost") accidents and disruptions in operational processes. The protective measures are to be implemented permanently and consistently (through operating instructions, regular training, role model function of superiors, and adequate actions in the event of non-compliance with the operating instructions).