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IOSH (HONG KONG) Risk Assessments on Chemical Usage: Current Trends & The Way Ahead
IOSH (HONG KONG)
Risk Assessments on Chemical Usage: Current Trends & The Way Ahead
Current Trend on Chemical Risk Assessments – Usual Ways
OELs or any other form of chemical exposure standards
Current Trend on Chemical Risk Assessments – Usual Ways
Chemical sampling and monitoring
Main Focus of Current Approach
OELsMonitoring results
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Main Focus of Current Approach
Current Trend on Chemical Risk Assessments – Sophisticated Ways
MSDSs
Current Trend on Chemical Risk Assessments - Sophisticated Ways
On-line database
What is Monitoring meant in Occupational Hygiene?
Employment of a scientific mean to determine the level of exposure to certain occupational stressors
What is Monitoring meant in Occupational Hygiene?
Meaning: to get info on a doubtful exposure scenario afterit materialised
Anticipation Recognition
ProtectionEvaluation
Discipline of Occupational Hygiene
Purpose of Occupational Hygiene Monitoring?
Law compliance
Purpose of Occupational Hygiene Monitoring?
Chemical exposure investigation (routine, medical, complaint …)
Purpose of Occupational Hygiene Monitoring?
Remedial measures investigation
Purpose of Occupational Hygiene Monitoring?
Research & development
Benefits of Monitoring
Actual exposure profilesBetter risk assessments Prioritise remedial measuresEtiological investigation
Problems Related to Monitoring
High costs
Problems Related to Monitoring
Time lapse
Problems Related to Monitoring
Lack of professional knowledge
Problems Related to Monitoring
Inadequate technical support (testing labs)
Problems Related to Monitoring
Difficulties in data interpretation
Proper Chemical Risk Assessments
Not just workplace monitoringDesk top research – reports, literature, database, history …
Sources of Info for Desktop Chemical Assessments
Structural-activities
Sources of Info for Desktop Chemical Assessments
Animal test data
Sources of Info for Desktop Chemical Assessments
In vitro test data
Sources of Info for Desktop Chemical Assessments
Work processes variations
Sources of Info for Desktop Chemical Assessments
Past cases
Sources of Info for Desktop Chemical Assessments
Others, such as user manuals and SOPs
Chemical Assessment Tools
International Chemical Control Toolkit (ICCK)Recognition, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
ICCK
General risk assessment based on the EU risk phrases or Globally harmonised System (GHS)Formally known as “Banding”
Banding
Band 1: Use good industrial hygiene practice and general ventilation Band 2: Use LES Band 3: Enclose the process Band 4: Seek expert advice
GHS
GHS is to promote common, consistent criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health, physical and environmental hazards, and to develop compatible labelling, MSDSs and other info
GHS
GHS was the works of UN and forms the basis for unified chemical symbols, risk phrases and MSDSs
REACH
REACH is a new European Union regulation that came into force in phrases starting from 1st June 2007
Labelling
REACH
RegistrationEvaluationAuthorisationRestriction of Chemicals
REACH
REACH
REACH is still open for comments and suggestions
REACH Timetable
GHS & REACH
EU will adopt new CLP Regulations (classification, labelling and packaging) in 2010
New CLP will be in line with GHS
First Stage in ICCK
Hazard classifications – Group A to E on inhalation hazards (with A being safest), Group S for skin hazards (including eyes)
Second Stage in ICCK
Scale of UseSmall (grams or milli-litres)Medium (kg or litres)Large (tonnes or m3)
Third Stage in ICCK
EvaporationSolids – low (very little dust); medium (visible dust); and high (dust clouds)
Third Stage in ICCK
Liquids – low (BP above 150oC)Liquids – medium (BP between 50oC and 150oC)Liquids - high (BP below 50oC)
Fourth Stage in ICCK
Selection of control methods
Fifth Stage in ICCK
Selection of control guidance info (C1 to C4, and Skin)
The Way Ahead
Chemical monitoring is still required, but not as the first weapon of choice in risk assessment
The Way Ahead
A lot more work should be spent on literature and database review
The Way Ahead
Chemical monitoring is guided by the outcome of desktop reviewResults are used to select control methods, and not just to compare with OELs
The Way Ahead
The Way Ahead is for monitoring results to complement desktop review for continuous improvement
The Way Ahead
In some areas, monitoring is still the first weapon in risk assessmentFood safety and consumer safety
The Way Ahead
Reasons?
The Way Ahead
Public panicThe stake is too high to make wrong decision
