What is Chemical Health Risk Assessment and Why it is Needed?

What is Chemical Health Risk Assessment?

CHRA or Chemical Health Risk Assessment it is a mandatory requirement under the Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standards of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health (USECHH) Regulations 2000 for all companies involved in the use (‘use’ means production, processing, handling, storage, transport, disposal and treatment) of chemicals hazardous to health to make a written assessment of the risks created by the chemicals to the health (CHRA or Chemical Health Risk Assessment) of the employees. The assessment should be conducted by competent person registered by DOSH.

Why it is Needed?

A CHRA is conducted with the purpose of enabling decisions to be made on appropriate control measures, induction and training of employees, monitoring and health surveillance activities as may be required to protect the health of employees who may be exposed to chemicals hazardous to health at work. This assessment is part of the requirement of Occupational Safety & Health Regulations.

The main objectives conducting CHRA as below:

• • To identify the hazards that will be included in the Chemical Health Risk Assessment, posed by each chemical substance (produced, processed, handled, stored, transported, disposed or treated within the workplace);

• • To evaluate the degree of exposure of employees to the chemical hazards (either through inhalation, dermal or ingestion) by using Chemical Health Risk Assessment form;

• • To evaluate the adequacy of existing control measures; and

• • To recommend further appropriate control measures and priorities actions to be taken to prevent or reduce risks.

Compliance

Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standards Of Exposure Of Chemicals Hazardous To Health) Regulations 2000;

Regulation 9 (1) An employer shall not carry out any work which may expose or is likely to expose any employee to any chemical hazardous to health unless he has made a written assessment of the risks created by the chemicals to the health of the employee.

Our Capability

Our CHRA competent person is registered and certified by Malaysia Department of Occupational Health & Safety (DOSH) and possesses extensive experience in the evaluating, identifying the hazardous to health posed by each chemical substance used, stored, handled or transported as well as consultancy services, risk assessment and recommendations. We are prepared to assist you and your employees to promote a healthy working environment.

Scope of Work

• • Assess the risk to health of employee from exposure to chemicals hazardous

• • Review all production process where the chemicals are used

• • Review all hazard information in the form of Chemical Safety Data Sheets

• • Evaluate the effectiveness, suitability and adequacy of existing control measures

• • Conclude on the significance of the health risk posed by chemicals used

• • Recommendation to reduce the risks of exposure to chemicals

Benefits of Chemical Health Risk Assessment

• • Outlines recommendation to reduce hazards related to chemical usage at workplace.

• • Reduce chemical related diseases at workplace.

• • Potential for reducing insurance premiums for employees.

• Avoiding costly compensation claims and legal action.  
• Shows management commitment towards Health & Safety culture at the workplace.                       

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