636-Hazardous Substances / 748
H
a
z
ardous Substances
BOS-PRD-0304.900903
Version 04. Original date: 25/05/012. Version date: 31/12/2014. Valid version only on QMS site. Uncontrolled document when printed.
Procedure prepared by: BOS Environmental coordinator. Approved by: BOS QHSES Manager. Validated by: BOS Quality Representative
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x
The risk associated with the hazard;
x
The probability that exposure may occur;
x
The exposure duration to a hazard (ranging from occasional to continuous contact with the hazard);
x
The possible consequences that may result.
The assessment
should
include hazards posed by storage, handling, use and disposal of hazardous
substances. Atmospheric monitoring is not routinely required for assessment, however it might be
appropriate in certain circumstances to determine airborne concentrations.
Step 4
Evaluate the Level o
f
R
i
sk
When estimating the level of risk it is necessary to consider the following for each hazardous substances:
x
The nature and severity of the hazard;
x
The degree of exposure of persons in the work place;
x
The existing control adequately measures control exposure.
The risk may then be identified as either High, Medium, or Low.
Lo
w
R
i
sk
A risk may be regarded as low if the hazardous substance is already controlled or can be readily controlled in
accordance with MSDS and there is not a significant risk to health.
Med
i
um or
Hi
gh R
i
sk
There is medium or high risk if:
x
The severity of the acute and chronic health effects from exposure to the hazardous substances are
significant;
x
There is either no, or inadequate, control measures in place to protect employees from exposure;
x
The level of exposure is high.
C
ontrol Measures
If the risk assessment indicates that there is exposure to a hazardous substance, the control or prevention of
this exposure is necessary. When considering methods to control exposure, the aim is to remove the risk of
exposure (i.e. remove the hazard). Where this is not possible, you must aim to reduce the exposure to As
Low As Reasonable Practicable (ALARP.) It is important that all the ways chemicals may enter the body are
taken into account. To do this a list of control method options
shall
be assessed.
El
i
m
i
nat
i
on
First, assess whether a hazardous substance can be eliminated. If practicable, eliminate the use of the
hazardous substance by using an alternative method or product.
Subst
i
tut
i
on
Where elimination is not practicable, substitute with a less hazardous substance or use of the same
substance in a less hazardous form or environment (increased ventilation, open area, etc.).
I
solat
i
on
If substitution is not practicable, it may be possible to isolate the worker from the hazardous process by
distance or by the use of barriers.
Redes
i
gn
(
eng
i
neer
i
ng
) C
ontrols
Engineering controls involve the use of plant or process which contain or minimize the generation of
exposure to a hazardous substance, by suppression or containment of a hazardous substance, or by limiting
the area of contamination in the event of spills or leaks (e.g. local exhaust ventilation or extraction system).
Adm
i
n
i
strat
i
ve
C
ontrols
Administrative controls involve work practices which require people to work in safer ways. These include:
x
Excluding those persons from work area who are not essential to the process, thereby reducing the
number of employees exposed;
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