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Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

This document discusses hazard identification and risk assessment in research laboratories. It outlines the process of identifying hazards, which can include agents, conditions, and activities with potential to cause harm. Examples of common hazards are provided. The document then discusses controls to mitigate risks, including elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. Roles and responsibilities of laboratory workers, principal investigators, chemical hygiene officers, and environmental health and safety are defined. General chemical safety and conducting risk assessments are also briefly covered.

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Syed Haider Abbas Kazmi
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178 views

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

This document discusses hazard identification and risk assessment in research laboratories. It outlines the process of identifying hazards, which can include agents, conditions, and activities with potential to cause harm. Examples of common hazards are provided. The document then discusses controls to mitigate risks, including elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. Roles and responsibilities of laboratory workers, principal investigators, chemical hygiene officers, and environmental health and safety are defined. General chemical safety and conducting risk assessments are also briefly covered.

Uploaded by

Syed Haider Abbas Kazmi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Research laboratories are dynamic, fluid environments.  For the most part, no two days are alike;
experiments change frequently and represent a variety of hazards.  Lab workers also represent a wide
range of backgrounds and skills, from high school students to scientists with decades of experience. 

Hazard identification and evaluation, hazard controls, roles and responsibilities, and general chemical
safety are all important parts of this assessment.

Hazard Identification and Evaluation

Before beginning the hazard evaluation and risk assessment process, a researcher must define the scope of
work.  What are the tasks that must be evaluated?  A well-defined scope of work is a key starting point
for all steps in the risk assessment and hazard analysis. 

The next step after identifying the scope of work is to identify the hazard.  A HAZARD IS A POTENTIAL
FOR HARM.   Hazards can be identified as an agent, condition, or activity that has the potential to cause
injury, illness, loss of property, or damage to the environment.  The table below has been adapted
from Identifying and Evaluating Hazards in Research Laboratories, which you can find in the Resource
tab to the right.

Table 3-1: Examples of Hazards Commonly Identified for Research Activities


Hazard Types Examples
Carcinogenic, teratogenic, corrosive, pyrophoric, toxic, mutagenic, reproductive
hazard, explosive, nonionizing radiation, biological hazard/pathogenic, flammable,
Agent
oxidizing, self-reactive or unstable, potentially explosive, reducing, water-reactive,
sensitizing, peroxide-forming, catalytic, or chemical asphyxiate
High pressure, low pressure, electrical, uneven surfaces, pinch points, suspended
Condition weight, hot surfaces, extreme cold, steam, noise, clutter, magnetic fields, simple
asphyxiant, oxygen-deficient spaces, ultraviolet radiation, or laser light
Creation of secondary products, lifting, chemical mixing, long-term use of dry boxes,
repetitive pipetting, scale up, handling waste, transportation of hazardous materials,
Activity
handling glassware and other sharp objects, heating chemicals, recrystallizations,
extractions, or centrifuging

Hazard Controls

When evaluating the risks associated with specific hazards, the results of this evaluation should guide the
researcher in the selection of risk management techniques including elimination, substitution, engineering
controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment.  This is known as the Hierarchy of
Controls.
Image courtesy of NIOSH. 

Elimination and Substitution

The most preferred method of controlling risk is to eliminate the hazard altogether. In most cases,
elimination is not feasible and when possible, substitution is the best approach to hazard mitigation.  
When possible, substitute less hazardous agents in place of their more hazardous counterparts.   This also
applies to conditions and activities.  Examples include substituting toluene for benzene, non-lead-based
paints for lead-based ones, or SawStop table saws for existing traditional table saws. 

Engineering Controls

Engineering controls consist of a variety of methods for minimizing hazards, including process control,
enclosure and isolation, and ventilation.

 Process controls involve changing the way that a job activity is performed in order to reduce risk. 
Examples of this include using wet methods when drilling or grinding or using temperature
controls to minimize vapor generation.
 Enclosure and isolation are targeted at keeping the chemical in and the researcher out, or visa
versa.  Glove boxes are a good example of enclosure and isolation.  Interlock systems for lasers
and machinery are other good examples of isolating processes.
 The most common method for ventilation in research laboratories is localized exhaust systems. 
Fume hoods, snorkels, and other ventilation systems are discussed at length in the Laboratory
Equipment and Engineering Controls section of this site.

Administrative Controls

Administrative controls are controls which alter the way work is performed.  They may consists of
policies, training, standard operating procedures/guidelines, personal hygiene practices, work scheduling,
etc.  These controls are meant to minimize the exposure to the hazard and should only be used  when the
exposure cannot be completely mitigated through elimination/substitution or engineering controls.  

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE should always be used as a last line of defense and is an acceptable control method when engineering
or administrative controls cannot provide sufficient protection.  PPE may also be used on a temporary
basis while engineering controls are being developed.  See the standalone PPE section of this site for
more information.

Roles and Responsibilities

Laboratory Worker

 Attend laboratory safety training.


 Review the Chemical Hygiene Plan
 Follow procedures and laboratory practices outlined in the Chemical Hygiene Plan and EHS
Website and as provided by supervisors and principal investigators.
 Use engineering controls and personal protective equipment, as appropriate.
 Report all incidents, accidents, potential chemical exposures and near miss situations to the
principal investigator and the Chemical Hygiene Officer.
 Document specific operating procedures for work with particularly hazardous substances,
including carcinogens, reproductive toxins and chemicals with high acute toxicity.

Principal Investigators

 Ensure laboratory workers attend laboratory safety training given by EHS.


 Ensure laboratory workers understand how to work with chemicals safely. Provide chemical and
procedure-specific training, as needed.
 Provide laboratory workers with appropriate engineering controls and personal protective
equipment needed to work safely with hazardous materials. Ensure such equipment is used
correctly.
 Ensure laboratory workers complete and submit Particularly Hazardous Substance Use
Approval  forms and submit them for approval before using any particularly hazardous substance.
 Review and approve work with particularly hazardous substances.

Departmental Chemical Hygiene Officer

 Establish and implement a Chemical Hygiene Plan.


 Review and update the Chemical Hygiene Plan at least annually.
 Investigate accidents and chemical exposures within the department.
 Act as a liaison between the department and EHS for laboratory safety issues.
 Maintain records of training, exposure monitoring and medical examinations.
 Ensure laboratory workers receive chemical and procedure-specific training.
 Review and approve use of particularly hazardous substances.
 Approve laboratory worker's return to work following a chemical exposure requiring medical
consultation.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)

 Conduct exposure monitoring, as needed.


 Provide general training.
 Audit the departmental program periodically.
 Provide safe working guidelines for laboratory workers through the EHS web page.
 Review the model Chemical Hygiene Plan at least annually.
 Inspect fume hoods annually.
 Provide consultation for safe work practices for hazardous chemicals.
 Conduct limited laboratory safety inspections annually.
 Develop and maintain the EHS Website.

Chemical Safety and Risk Assessments

General Chemical Safety

Physical health hazards of chemicals, routes of entry, and chemical exposures are all discussed at length
in the Hazard Communication-Chemical Safety section of this site. 

For more specific chemical handling, storage, and waste considerations, please visit the Chemical
Safety page located in the Laboratory & Research Safety section.   

Risk Assessments

There are a variety of methods for conducting risk assessments. For assistance in conducting a risk
assessment for your laboratory, please contact EHS. 

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