Risk management tools for dangerous substances

Introduction

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) defines dangerous substances as ‘any liquid, gas or solid that poses a risk to workers’ health or safety’.[1] Risk assessment for these can be a complicated issue for employers. Many, especially small and medium sized enterprises (SME), do not have the resources (knowledge, time, personnel) for sound risk assessments. On the one hand European Directives set minimum standards:Directive 98/24/EC[2] describes a minimum level of worker protection in EuropeDirective 2004/37/EC establishes stricter provision for carcinogens and mutagens in particular on substitution and preventive measures.Other…