GUIDELINES – PREPARATION OF CHEMICAL RISK ASSESSMENTS
These guidelines DO NOT supersede official procedures, which may be found at Office &
Laboratory Safety - University of Limerick - Human Resources Division. Lab workers should
be familiar with UL’s health & safety policies and procedures before undertaking risk
assessments.
Completing the Chemical Risk Assessment Form
To get the relevant safety information, you need the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for each
chemical in the form you will use it. US and EU format MSDS sheets exist. Ensure you have the EU
version so the information sections match what’s asked for on the Risk Assessment form.
The relevant sections on the MSDS are:
15. Regulatory Information – lists the risks you have to take into consideration.
8. Exposure controls & personal protection
4. First aid measures
5. Fire-fighting measures
6. Accidental release measures
7. Handling & storage
For mixtures (e.g. polymer resins), it’s the safety data for the MIXTURE, not its components (which are
listed in sections 2 & 3) that you’re interested in.
The attached sample chemical risk assessment form is colour coded as follows
GREEN
YELLOW
RED
Steps in completing the form (21 in total)
Tips for completing each section
Cautions
How do I treat suspected health hazards?
Hazard categories T+, T, Xn, C are given on labels. You need to check the risk phrases for categories
Xi, C1/C2, Mut1/Mut2, Repro1/Repro2.
Category 1 (known) and 2 (suspected) carcinogens, mutagens, toxic to reproduction must be
assessed. Category 3 (possible but conclusive evidence not available) are not noted on the form, but
it is prudent to be aware of suspected effects.
How do I determine dustiness or volatility?
Solid
Solvent
High
Powders
Evaporates at room temp
Medium
Crystalline solid
Must be heated to evaporate
Low
Pellets
Does not evaporate
If no data available for a solid compound, treat it as non-specific “dust” per COP.
For carbon nanotubes, treat as asbestos.
What if I (or a co-worker) may be pregnant?
Pregnant workers should check the Pregnant Workers Regulations for a list of “R phrases” that require
extra precautions.
NB: Pregnant (or potentially pregnant) workers should notify MSSI staff so that appropriate safety
measures can be put in place to safeguard them.
At all times, if in doubt, ask!
Document Number SD016.3
How do I reduce the risk if I decide it is unacceptable?
The order of preference for improving safety is:
Elimination
Change the experiment to avoid using chemical or eliminate step
Substitution
Replace hazardous materials with safer alternatives. Can you buy in
materials or outsource the job rather than attempting it yourself?
Engineering Controls
e.g. work in fumehood or glovebox
Administrative Controls
e.g. restricted lab access, hot-work permits
Personal Protective
Equipment
e.g. chemical-resistant apron, safety boots, respirator. Only use these as
a last resort. Its better to control risks than try to shield yourself from them!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When do I need to complete a chemical risk assessment for my experiment?
If you are conducting a procedure that:
o uses chemicals
o produces chemicals, either as an intended product or by-product
If you routinely prepare stock reagents to be used in other procedures, this preparation can be
assessed on a separate form. This cuts down on paperwork for you.
Q2: Do I need to complete a chemical risk assessment if I order in a new chemical?
No, the MSDS sheet provided by the supplier is the risk assessment for the chemical.
o Make sure you get the correct MSDS sheet from the supplier.
o Check the MSDS to ensure you store the chemical correctly.
Q3: When do I have to review my chemical risk assessment?
o At least once a year or
o If there are significant changes to the work or
o If the person doing the work changes, e.g. an FYP student repeats a procedure previously done by
a postgraduate (page 2 of assessment form)
o If the work is repeated in a different laboratory (page 3 of form)
o If you have reason to suspect the assessment is no longer valid or
o If the occupational exposure level (OLEV) for any of the materials used is exceeded
Q4: What should be included in the chemical risk assessment?
The assessment must take account of:
o Starting materials in the form you will use them (e.g. 1M NaOH solution, not NaOH pellets)
o Preparation of starting materials used (e.g. drying of solvents)
o Intermediates formed during the reaction
o End products
o By-products and waste generated.
You must also consider:
o Safe storage of materials
o Safe disposal of waste
o Are the appropriate controls, first aid and emergency procedures in place?
Q5: The risks are minimal; parts of the form don’t apply to my experiment. Do I need to complete it?
You must complete the form to show you’ve considered the risks and found the experiment is safe.
Do not leave any section blank, mark it N/A (not applicable).
Q6: I don’t understand what the form is asking me for. What should I do?
If you don’t understand the information in the MSDS sheets or on the form, you’re probably not the
right person to undertake the assessment. Ask for help.
At all times, if in doubt, ask!
Document Number SD016.3
3. The assessment is specific to the location
you assess it for. If you transfer the
experiment to another lab, you have to
repeat the assessment for that lab.
1. A chemical risk assessment must be completed
for all experiments that involve chemicals. This
includes procedures that produce chemicals as a
by-product.
4. Review at least annually or
o If work changes significantly
o If OLEV is exceeded
o If you have reason to suspect
assessment is no longer valid
UNIVERSITY of LIMERICK
CHEMICAL AGENT RISK ASSESSMENT SHEET
TITLE OF ACTIVITY:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. This is your judgement of the experiment.
Other workers may reach a different decision on
the same procedure.
ACADEMIC / PROJECT SUPERVISOR: ________________________________________________________
LOCATION:_____________
MODULE CODE:_____________________
(Room No.)
(if relevant)
End products
5B. From R phrases,
MSDS Section 15
By-products
Waste generated
5C. From R phrases,
MSDS Section 15
OELV / BLV
Number of people exposed
Duration of Contact
(Hr/Day)
Dustiness or Volatility (high,
medium or low)
Amount Used
(L or Kg)
Ingestion
Eyes
Skin (Sk)
Inhalation (Sen)
5D. Use your own
judgement on what
possible exposure
routes could arise in
proposed work
5F. For unknown solids, use OLEV
figures for ‘dust’ from CoP. Treat CNTs
as asbestos
Intermediates formed in
reaction
Danger to
environment (N)
Flammable (F)
Very Flammable F+
Repro 1 or Repro 2
Toxic Reproduction
(Mut 1) or (Mut 2)
Mutagenic
or (C2)
Carcinogenic
Sensitising (Xi)
Corrosive (C)
Irritant (Xi)
Harmful (Xn)
5A. From orange warning
symbols on label or top of MSDS
sheet and
Section 15 – Regulatory
Information
EXPOSURE
5E. Powder = high, Crystalline solid =
medium, pellet = low
Starting materials
Toxic (T)
(C1)
5. List the following:
Very Toxic (T+)
LIST
CHEMICAL NAMES
ASSESSMENT REVIEW DATE:_____________________
OTHER HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARD CATEGORIES
Explosive (E)
(Use labels, Safety Data
Sheets (SDS) & Chem. Agent
CoP to complete this table.)
ASSESSMENT DATE:______________________
Oxidising (O)
ASSESSMENT UNDERTAKEN BY:_______________________________
NOTE OTHER SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERNS:
6. If you have a concern that doesn’t fit elsewhere, note it here. E.g.: it is not required to report C3
carcinogens above, but it is prudent to be aware and treat them with care!
Chemical Agent Risk Assessment Sheet
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Document Number SF001.2
10. Only list control already in place
here. New controls to be introduced go
in the ‘additional preventative measures
required’ column.
PERSONS CARRYING OUT & DESCRIPTION OF THE
ACTIVITY
Persons carrying out activity (lecturer, technician,
postgraduate or undergraduate student,
maintenance, grounds, etc.):
7. Specify the grade of worker (e.g. FYP
student, postgrad).
You don’t need to name the person who will
do it.
11. MSDS sheet for the chemical in the form
you’re using it must be filed in lab. (e.g.
NaOH pellets and 0.1M aqueous solution
require separate MSDS sheets)
CURRENT PREVENTATIVE & PROTECTIVE MEASURES
ADDITIONAL PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
REQUIRED
STANDARDS & PROCEDURES (Name of relevant Departmental Safety COP, experimental
procedures and/or other reference that controls the use of chemicals in this experiment or
project):
Relevant procedures are MSSI Safety Code of Practice and
Laboratory Rules (posted in all MSSI labs)
Safety Data Sheets (Are SDS’s available for each chemical?):
YES

NO
CONTAINMENT FACILITIES (i.e. engineering controls, fume cupboards, etc.):
Brief description of the activity and significant
chemical hazards and risks involved:
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (i.e. protective clothing, gloves, eye protection, etc.):
8. Include reaction scheme and equation where
available.
Is procedure exothermic or endothermic? How
do you control a runaway reaction? How is it
shut down in an emergency?
ACCEPTABLE:
UNACCEPTABLE:
Note who is responsible to taking
these additional measures and when
they will be implemented by.
NB: Experimental work should not
begin until these additional measures
are in place.
Preventative Measures
TRAINING (Describe training given to staff / students who will use these chemicals):
LIST OTHER PREVENTATIVES AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES:
RISK DECISION

19. If improvements are required,
list them here.
Note: specify the correct type of glove to wear. No one
glove protects from all chemical types!
9. Include preparation of reagents used e.g.
dilution of conc. acid to 0.1M solution
If preparation is done by another worker, or
stock solutions are used, these can be assessed
in a separate risk assessment.
(If needed to ensure that risks are kept at
acceptable levels, list additional preventative
measures to be used):
If you have changed the process to make it safer, list the change(s) here e.g.
substituting a safer solvent. This will save future work if another risk assessment
is conducted on a similar procedure.
In order of preference:
1. Eliminate the risk
2. Substitute a safer chemical or
method for the risk
3. Engineering controls e.g. fume
hood
4. Administrative controls e.g.
restrict access to lab
5. Last resort: use PPE
If, as a result of this risk assessment, the risk decision is found to be acceptable, then progress to the next page.


If the risk decision is found to be unacceptable then the chemical agent / agents may not be used in the workplace. It
may then be necessary to carry out a more detailed risk assessment.
20. Decide based on experience, hazards of
materials used, quantities used, personnel
exposed and safety controls in place.
Chemical Agent Risk Assessment Sheet
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Document Number SF001.2
FIRST AID
(Location of showers, first aid arrangements, antidotes, Student Medical Centre contact details, etc.):
SPILLS & OTHER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
(Describe emergency procedures in event of spill: including location of clean-up materials,
emergency contacts & phone numbers, and the Departmental Emergency Plan):
From MSDS - Section 4: First aid measures
From MSDS –
Section 8: Exposure controls & personal protection
Section 5: Fire-fighting measures
Section 6: Accidentla release measures
Also consider first aid arrangements for out-of-hours work separately. Remember the
medical centre is closed and no first aiders are at work in MSSI outside 9am-5pm
Monday-Friday!
WASTE
(Specify if any special precautions should be taken when handling wastes and state the method of disposal):
STORAGE
(State the correct storage conditions for the various chemical categories being assessed.):
This section should state the procedure you will follow in your lab to collect and dispose
of waste. MSDS sheets often say “comply with local regulations”. This is not sufficient
here!
Know how you will dispose of the waste before you produce it – disposing of waste or
unused chemicals is the most expensive part of running a chemistry lab! Aim to keep the
amount of waste produced to a minimum.
From MSDS - Section 7: Handling & Storage
21. Specify first aid, emergency, waste and storage procedures that apply in
MSDS. You must take account of what provisions are made in the lab where you
will perform the procedure. Ensure the correct safety equipment is in place (e.g.
antidote, correct type of fire extinguisher).
Note: If you repeat the experiment in a different lab, you have to reassess this page
for the new location.
I have completed this risk assessment and I am fully aware of the hazards involved in the above activity and of the essential safety precautions to be taken. I acknowledge with my signature here that I will
comply with the safety precautions that this work requires.
Signature of Assessor
Researcher/Staff
Date
I have personally ascertained that the Assessor is aware of the hazards involved in the above activity and the precautions to be taken. I am satisfied that any hazards that were identified are adequately
controlled and these controls will be regularly checked. This activity is deemed to be safe and has my approval.
Final responsibility for safe working lies
with the supervisor, so check the assessment
is done properly before signing on the dotted
line!
Signature of Supervisor:
Date
Chief Technical Officer / Academic Staff / Head of Department
Chemical Agent Risk Assessment Sheet
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Document Number SF001.2