CHRA? A Simple Guide at Chemical Health Risk Assessment

Let’s explore the term CHRA, a short notation for chemical health risk assessment. First and foremost, the Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standards of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2000, commonly referred to as the USECHH Regulations, define chemicals as chemical elements, compounds, or mixtures, whether natural or synthetic, excluding microorganisms.

Over time, workers who are exposed to these chemicals in their work environment may be at risk of developing occupational diseases that could adversely affect their health. To address this, employers are required to safeguard the safety, health, and welfare of their employees, as mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA 1994).

Therefore, a chemical health risk assessment is essential to identify, evaluate, and control health risks associated with work activities involving chemicals hazardous to health (CHTH) as mandated by Regulation 9 of the regulations.

This is not just a formality but a crucial step in protecting workers from potential health hazards.

What is Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA)?

A CHRA is an evaluation of the risks to the health of workers who are exposed to CHTH in their workplace.

Simply put, CHRA is required whenever the chemicals are present at a worksite. The term ‘present’ in this context means that the chemical is either produced, processed, used, stored, transported, treated, or even disposed of within the work environment.

Why and When is CHRA Conducted?

You might wonder why a CHRA is necessary. In simple terms, a CHRA is conducted whenever a CHTH is used in a workplace. According to the USECHH Regulations, CHTH includes:

1. Chemicals listed in Schedule I or II of the USECHH Regulations.
2. Chemicals classified under any hazard class specified under the Health Hazards of the First Schedule of the CLASS Regulations.
3. Pesticides as defined under the Pesticides Act 1974.
4. Scheduled waste listed in the First Schedule to the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005.

The primary objectives of a CHRA are:

• To identify the hazards associated with each CHTH used in the workplace.
• To evaluate the extent of workers’ exposure to CHTH, whether through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion.
• To assess the effectiveness of existing control measures.
• To recommend further appropriate control measures and prioritize actions to prevent or reduce risks.

Who Can Conduct the CHRA?

A person conducting the CHRA is called an assessor. As stipulated by Regulation 11 of USECHH Regulations, the person must be an active assessor registered with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, DOSH.

What Factors are Considered in a CHRA?

During a CHRA, various factors are considered, ranging from identifying potential risks to determining the need for medical surveillance. According the USECHH Regulations, the assessment must include but not limited to the following items:

• The potential risks to workers from exposure to CHTH.
• The methods and procedures used in handling CHTH.
• The nature of the health hazards involved.
• The degree of exposure to CHTH.
• The health risks created by the use and release of chemicals during work processes.
• The measures and procedures required to control workers’ exposure to CHTH.
• The procedures and equipment necessary to manage accidental emissions of CHTH due to leakage, spillage, or equipment failure.
• The necessity for a worker exposure monitoring program.
• The necessity for a medical surveillance program.
• The requirement for worker training and retraining.

Site-specific CHRA or Generic CHRA?

The risk to health can be assessed through two main approaches: a full assessment and a simple assessment. The choice of approach depends on the chemical’s hazard classification, the circumstances of its use, and the complexity of the work process.

A full assessment should be the primary approach considered. In a full assessment, the CHRA method is applied. There are two types of CHRA depending on the location and other considerations, such as work activities, risk level, and control measures:

• Site-specific CHRA: Conducted for each workplace where CHTH is used.
• Generic CHRA: Conducted at representative locations, which can be applied to other locations with similar work activities, comparable risk levels, and similar control measures.

A simple assessment, on the other hand, is a more straightforward method of conducting a chemical risk assessment. This simplified version of CHRA uses the Simple Risk Assessment and Control for Chemicals (SiRAC) methodology.

It can be conducted if the CHTH is listed in the chemical register and is not classified as carcinogenic (category 1), mutagenic (category 1), or a respiratory sensitizer (category 1). Note that, only trained personnel are allowed to carry out the SiRAC methodology.

In conclusion, Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA) is an essential process in ensuring the safety and health of workers who are exposed to hazardous chemicals in the workplace. By understanding and implementing CHRA, employers can identify potential risks, evaluate exposure levels, and establish effective control measures to protect their employees.

To begin managing chemicals in your workplace effectively, it’s crucial to start with a comprehensive identification of all chemicals used or stored in your facilities. Taking this first step will help in creating a safer and healthier work environment for everyone. Don’t wait—initiate your chemical management process today to ensure compliance and safeguard your workforce.