Aurora Martinez Serrano

Risk analysis
» ACCIDENT: an unplanned event or sequence of events that occur due to a combination of causes, and
that result in some kind of physical harm to people or animals, property damage, losses, or any
combination of these effects.
• Work accident: it happens in the work environment. Leads to reduced work capacity or
production/profits or death or destruction of material.
» INCIDENT: am unplanned event or sequence of events that does not result in some sort of harm, but
would have the potential to do so. Only a fortunate break in the chain of events prevented the damage.
» HAZARD: property or ability of something (materials, equipment, methods, practices, people, etc.),
potentially causing damage.
» RISK: the likelihood that the potential for harm will be attained under the conditions of use and/or
exposure, and the possible extent of the harm.
D = damage
The quantitative definition is made by the function of risk R=DxP
P = probability
Unacceptable risk sometimes Dk
Generally, the more severe
k > 1, more severe damage
consequences, events are
Acceptable risk less frequent

RISK ANALYSIS STRUCTURE

1- Risk evaluation ⟶ risk characterization process; estimation of probabilities and definition of the
conditions in which the damage occurs
2- Risk management ⟶ decision making about the evaluated risks
3- Risk communication ⟶ process of deciding to who, in which occasion, and which information should be
transmitted
PRINCIPLES OF RISK MANAGEMENT
The aim is to eliminate or minimize the damage arising from the risks inherent in a particular organization
or system.
» Phase 1 Risk identification
Inspections, discussions, safety analysis, study of previous accidents, etc.
» Phase 2 Risk measurement
Quantitative result (or not) to take into account with the expected frequency of occurrence and the
severity of consequences.
Function of risk: f (probability, consequences, # of people, means of protection)
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May be based on economic, social and humanitarian, legal and environmental considerations.
» Phase 3 Risk control
1- Suppression: fully eliminate the probability of damage to occur
2- Retention: the risk is assumed
- With knowledge: result of a conscious decision to assume any resulting damage. Usually
when the risk is considered low (unlikely and minor consequences)
- Without knowledge: for not being identified or having not been fully evaluated
3- Transfer (risk level is the same): the risk, in conjunction with the costs associated with their
possible consequences, is transferred to another entity, usually an insurance company, through a
contract that sets out the terms of the transfer
4- Reduction (most common): all measures that, acting on the source, interface or exposure to risk,
imply a decrease in the value given by the function of risk, either by downloading the probability
of occurred of the accident either by limiting the consequences
COMMUNICATION / PERCEPTION OF RISKS
Risks are present in any activity. The risk assessment must be carried out free from cultural perceptions,
fears and values. The language used in risk communication is ambiguous or not rigorous, mainly by the
press. This causes problems with popular perception of risks. People’s perception is highly influences by
culture, emotions such as the sense of control and heuristic mechanisms.
Mental mechanisms (heuristic, based on experience):
• Analogy with other situations
• Personal repository (availability): based on ease of remembering or imagining accidents and
damage caused. Currently, the influence of media is determinant.
• Adjustment: change of behaviour if something sufficiently influential happens (does not have to be
permanent)
RISK ACCEPTANCE
It follows the general principle ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable): all safety precautions should
be implemented that are reasonable in view of technical and economical possibilities. In many cases this
level is legislated.

Risk analysis at workplace

Approximately 4% of the world gross domestic income is lost with the cost of injuries, death and diseases,
absenteeism, treatment of disease, disability, compensation and pensions.
The most important Community legislation in the field of risk assessment is the framework Directive 89/391.
It makes employers responsible for ensuring the safety and health of workers in every aspect related to
 Aurora Martinez Serrano
the work. Being risk assessment one of the aspects that are part of this mandatory management of
occupational safety and health (OSH).
According to the policy, the risk assessment must be the starting point of the global OSH management
process.
GENERAL / LEGAL ASPECTS

Employer Worker
Duties of information about risks, whenever: Obligations
• a new admission • Follow the Safety and Health at Work (SHW)
• change of work stand or functions guidelines from the employer
• introduction of new equipment • Ensure the safety and health of him/herself
• alterations of equipment and other people that may be affected for
• adoption of new technologies his/her actions and omissions
• activities involving workers from different • Obey the established work procedures
companies • Communicate immediately faults and
deficiencies that appear capable to originate
serious imminent danger
• Cooperate in the improvement of the SHW
system
Rights
• To make proposals regarding SHW
• Appeal to the competent authorities
• Cease work in case of imminent serious hazard
that cannot be avoided
A mandatory Internal Service for workplace safety is required when:
• The company has ≥400 workers
• Set of establishments that has ≥400 workers, distanced up to 50km from the one with most
workers
• Establishment that carry out out hazardous activities with ≥30 exposed workers
Some examples of hazardous activities are:
• Construction works
• Utilization of hazardous chemical products
• Production, transport or utilization of explosives
• Exposition to ionizing radiation
• Hyperbaric work
 Aurora Martinez Serrano
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
» Lighting
One of the factors to be controlled, in order to provide the worker with a good working environment,
which does not endanger his health, safety and productivity. The amount of light at the focal point
of the work plane should be adequate Inappropriate lighting may enhance accidents and cause eye
disorders or headaches.
» Thermal environment / humidity
A healthy thermal environment is the result of simultaneous control of temperature, humidity
and air renewal in workplaces, intervening directly or indirectly in the well-being and health
of the worker and in the performance of the tasks assigned to him.
The temperature and humidity of workplaces should be kept within convenient limits to avoid
damage to workers' health (hypothermia, frozen extremities, heat exhaustion, etc.).
» Noise
In addition to representing a source of discomfort for workers, is the main cause of work related
hearing loss (about 1/3 of all occupational diseases).
» Vibrations 1dB = 10 × log(I/I0) I0 = 10-12 W/m2
Strong vibrations, in the shortest or long term, can lead to physiological lesions and serious
pathologies, such as spinal trauma, nervous system changes, vascular, muscular and joint disorders.
» Ionizing radiation
Ionizing radiation corresponds to a transfer of energy in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves.
It can come from natural sources, but also from artificial sources with use in various applications
(medicine, industrial gamma graphography, etc.). Activities involving exposure to ionising radiation are
considered to be at high risk and are likely to pose risks to genetic heritage, as they may cause
hereditary genetic effects, non hereditary harmful effects on the progeny or to attack male or female
reproductive functions and capacities. It is prohibited that minors and pregnant or lactating women
perform functions that professionally expose them to ionising radiation.
» Non-ionizing radiation
It does not have enough energy to ionize the atoms and molecules with which they interact: ultraviolet
radiation, visible light, infrared and laser beams. The possible health effects are: various skin diseases,
including cancer; eye damage, including blindness; damage to the central nervous system, etc.
» Biomechanical risks
Improper manual handling of loads, inappropriate postures and movements, repetitive movements,
intense work rhythm and monotonous activities. They can lead t psychological and physiological
disorders. In reduscing these risks, ergonomics plays a fundamental role.
 Aurora Martinez Serrano
MECHANICAL HAZARDS
» Work equipment
It involves any machine, apparatus, tool or installation used by the worker. Consequences can vary
from minor wounds to amputations or death.
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
The main electrical hazards result from contact between people with electric current. These can happen
directly or indirectly, and the consequences of contact with electricity can result in severe burns and
even death.
» Direct contact: it happens when an individual comes into contact with an active part of a circuit that
is under voltage.
» Indirect contact: occurs when an individual comes into contact with masses (metal parts) accidentally
under tension.
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
In occupational terms a chemical agent is considered hazardous if it is classified as a hazardous substance
or mixture in accordance with the criteria laid down in the applicable legislation. Also, if it may entail
risks to the safety and health of workers due to their physical chemical or toxicological properties,
including any agent subject to a professional exposure limit value established.
CONFINED SPACES
Confined space means a place with limited inlet and outlet openings, unfavourable natural ventilation
and deficient oxygen levels, and may contain or produce toxic or flammable chemical contaminants and
which is not designed for continuous occupation by workers.
• Enclosed confined space: it is not designed for permanent human occupation, because it often has
small dimensions.
• Open confined space: it has unconditioned entrances and exits with ease of access to people and
machines, but in view of the existence of hazardous substances, the difficulties of natural
ventilation, its configuration, its extension, the nature of the work, the type of equipment used,
poses high risks for the worker.
Explosive atmosphere means the mixture of air with flammable substances (gases, vapours, mists) or
combustible dust, in which, after ignition, combustion propagates to the entire unburned mixture.
Could occur in chemical industry, pharma, wood transformation, food industry, metallurgy, etc.
BIOLOGICAL RISKS
Biological agents are micro-organisms (viruses, fungi, bacteria, parasites) which are likely to cause
infections, allergies or intoxications, and the large difference between these agents and other hazardous
substances is their ability to reproduce.
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Aerosols, dust, laboratory instruments, water and culture of micro-organisms are forms of transmission of
biological agents. Workers may be exposed to biological risks in activities such as agricultural activities,
activities with animal contact, health units, waste collection or sewage treatment facilities.
PHYCHOSOCIAL RISKS
They arise from deficiencies in the design, organisation and management of work, as well as from a
problematic social work context, and may have negative psychological, physical and social effects, such
as work related stress, exhaustion or depression.

Methodologies
QUALITATIVE METHODS
The most used tool in risk assessment are checklists. It is useful in identification and categorization of
hazards.
Also, tables of risk classification could be used.
SEMI-QUALITATIVE METHODS
An index of frequencies could be used.
Also risk quantification matrices, like in qualitative methods but including
numers, derived from R = D x P.
A general interpretation of risks is:
• Low frequency and low consequences - tolerable risks, internally retained
• Low frequency and serious consequences risk - transferred to insurance
companies
• High frequency and low consequence - risk reduction
• High frequency and serious consequences - risk elimination
DETERMINATION OF RISK CONTROL MEASURES
1- Eliminate the risk, or if this is not possible, minimize it by the side of their effects. It is the most
effective measure.
2- Review the working procedures. Modification, alteration of sequence or increase in the number of basic
operations.
3- Involve the risk. Collective protection: encapsulation, guards, shields, etc.
4- Reduce exposure and use of individual protection equipment (IPE). MEasures less effective. To be applied
when is technically impossible to apply the other measures.
 Aurora Martinez Serrano
Chemical risk assessment
CAS NUMBER
The Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) is considered the most complete and comprehensive source of chemical
information. The substances are identified unambiguously with a description of its molecular structure,
including stereochemical details, in computational language. The CAS has no chemical significance, being
assigned in chronological order of entry.
REACH REGULATION
A key measure of the new policy is to make the manufacturers/importers/distributors responsible for
chemical safety and bridge the lack of existing information. Strengthens the competitiveness of SMEs in
the chemical sector as it allows research and development without registration during 5 to 10 years.
Intends to increase human and environmental safety, and increase the information and confidence of
users of chemicals and the public in General.
European and national authorities must ensure that the various actors fulfil their obligations, and to
intervene in the case of substances of very high concern (SVHC) that are a priority in terms of risk
reduction (toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction and harmful to the environment).
Excluded products: radioactive substances, medicinal products, food products, biocides and plant
protection, some polymers, substances used in research and development.
GLOBAL HARMONISATION SYSTEM (GHS)
Need for the adoption of the GHS:
• No country has the ability to identify and regulate in detail the risk of each chemical
• Non-unified systems use different classification criteria and produce divergent information. Bring
safety problems, difficulty of interpretation of labels
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
1- Explosives
Explosive substances or mixtures are solid or liquid substances or mixtures that are, by themselves and
by chemical reaction, likely to produce/release a gas at a pressure and at a speed such that may
cause damage to the surroundings.
Method of Seaton – it is based on the assignment of a explosophore (offer instability) weight (in grams)
to certain chemical groups or auxophore (inhibit the effect of explosophores) weight (in grams) for 1
mole of substance.
Positive values indicate instability, negative values a stabilizing effect. Divide the molecule in groups
and do the algebraic sum of the explosophore and auxophore weights and then divided by the molar
mass, obtaining the explosiveness, Re:
 Aurora Martinez Serrano
$%&' + )*%
!" =
++
Re ≥ 0,265, material explosive to shock
Re < 0,265, inconclusive
2- Flammable gases
Flammable gases are gases or mixtures of gases with a flammable range with air at 20° C and a
standard pressure of 101’3 kPa. For any flammable gas/vapour the is a range of concentrations where
the combustion reaction is sustained. The range is centred around the stoichiometric gas/air ratio
(expressed in %):
• Lower flamability limit (LII) LII = a × Cs
• Upper flamability limit (LSI)
3- Flammable aerosols
Aerosols are any dispersion of liquid or solid particles suspended in a gas. Its flammability category
depends on the % of flammable components and heat of combustion.
4- Oxidizing gases
Oxidizing gases are gases or mixtures of gases which may, generally by providing oxygen, cause or
contribute more than air to the combustion of other materials.
5- Gases under pressure
Gases under pressure are gases which are contained in a receptacle at a pressure not less than
200 kPa (~ 2atm), or that are liquefied and liquefied or refrigerated.
6- Flammable liquids
Flammable liquids are liquids with a flashpoint not exceeding 60° C. In the case of liquids is needed an
intermediate step of vaporization of the liquid to the gas phase, to the combustion occur. The
concentration of vapours must be between LII and LSI.
Thus, the ease of ignition of a liquid depends on its volatility (indicated by the vapour pressure or
boiling point) and the LII. The more volatile the liquid the greater the concentration of its vapour. The
smaller LII, lower concentration of vapour is required.
The flash point of a liquid is a global index of flammability, as correlates with volatility and LII. The
flashpoint is the temperature at which a liquid has a vapour pressure equal to the respective LII, and
so is the minimum temperature at which the vapours can ignite with a flame.
A flammable vapour when mixed with air will not always ignite even in the presence of an ignition
source. If a flammable vapour is previously mixed with air within its flammable limits and then ignited,
an explosion will occur. The most dangerous flammable liquids are those that are very volatile and also
have a very low lower flammable limit.
7- Flammable solids
Flammable solids are solids that come easily ignited or can ignite by friction. The combustion occurs
after the thermal degradation of the material to release, among other, flammable gases.
 Aurora Martinez Serrano
8- Self-reactive substances and mixtures
The substances or mixtures, liquid or solid, are thermally unstable, which may suffer a highly
exothermic decomposition even without participation of oxygen (air).
It is considered that a substance or mixture self-reactive substance has explosive properties, in
laboratory testing, if the formulation is able to detonate, deflagrate rapidly or to react violently
when heated under confinement.
9- Pyrophoric liquids
Pyrophoric liquids are liquid substances or mixtures which, even in small quantities, are liable to ignite
within five minutes after coming into contact with air. Ex. Cl3SiH.
10- Pyrophoric solids
Pyrophoric solids are solid substances or mixtures which, even in small quantities, are liable to ignite
within five minutes after coming into contact with air. Ex. FeS.
11- Self-heating substances and mixtures
Substances or mixtures, liquid or solid, with the exception of pyrophoric liquids or solids, which, by
reaction with air and without energy supply, are capable of self-heating.
These substances or mixtures differ from pyrophoric liquid or solid for they ignite only when present
in large amounts (kilograms) and after long periods of time (hours or days).
12- Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
Substances or mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases are solid or liquid
substances or mixtures which, by interaction with water, can ignite spontaneously or release gases
in dangerous quantities.
13- Oxidizing liquids
Oxidizing liquids are liquid substances or mixtures which are not themselves necessarily combustible,
may, generally by yielding oxygen, cause or encourage the combustion of other materials.
14- Oxidizing solids
Oxidizing solids are solid substances or mixtures which are not necessarily combustible themselves.
In general, they can yield to oxygen, cause or encourage the combustion of other materials.
15- Organic peroxides
Organic peroxides are thermally unstable substances or mixtures which may suffer a exothermic self-
accelerating decomposition. They may also possess at least one of the following properties: be liable
to explosive decomposition, burn quickly, be sensitive to impact or friction or react dangerously with
other substances.
16- Corrosive to metals
Substances or mixtures that are corrosive to metals are substances or mixtures which, by chemical
action will materially damage, or even destroy, metals. Ex. hydroxilamine (NH2OH).
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HEALTH HAZARDS
1- Acute toxicity
That which is induced after a single dose or exposure to a substance or mixture, and that is usually
associated to serious effects such as death or brain damage. Acute toxicity maybe via oral, dermal or
inhalation. The acute toxicity estimate (ATE) is preferably based on LD50 or LC50 values.
The ATE of the mixture is determined by calculation from the values ATE (oral toxicity, dermal or
inhalation) for all important ingredients, according to the following formula:
2- Skin corrosion/irritation
Skin corrosion is the production of irreversible damage to the skin, namely,
visible necrosis throughout the epidermis and reaching the dermis, following the application of a test
substance for a maximum 4h.
Skin irritation is the production of reversible damage to the skin following the application of a test
substance for a maximum 4h.
3- Serious eye damage/eye irritation
Severe ocular lesions are the lesions produced in the eye tissues or a severe degradation of vision,
following application of a test substance on the anterior surface of the eye, which is not fully reversible
in 21 days following application.
Eye irritation is the production of changes in the eye following the application of the test substance
on the anterior surface of the eye, and it is fully reversible in 21 days following application.
4- Respiratory or skin sensitisation
A respiratory sensitizer is a substance that leads to airway hypersensitivity after inhalation of the
substance.
A dermal sensitizer is a substance that causes an allergic reaction after contact with the skin.
5- Mutagenicity in germ cells
The mutation is a permanent change in the amount or structure of the genetic material of a cell. The
term "mutation" applies both to heritable genetic damage, and to the underlying DNA modifications.
6- Carcinogenicity
The carcinogens are substances or mixtures of substances which induce cancer or increase its incidence.
Categories:
• 1A – it is known that the substance is potentially a carcinogen based on evidence involving
human beings
• 1B – it is assumed that the substance is potentially carcinogenic, based on studies with animals
• 2 - substances suspected of being carcinogenic, based on studies with humans or animals
7- Reproductive toxicity
Reproductive toxicity includes adverse effects on sexual function and fertility in adult males and
females, as well as on the growth of infants. For the purposes of classification it is divided into: adverse
effects (to sexual function and fertility) and for development (effect on or via lactation).
 Aurora Martinez Serrano
8- Specific target organ toxicity – single exposure
The specific target organ toxicity (single exposure) is the specific target organ toxicity, not deadly,
derived from a single exposure to a substance or mixture.
9- Specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure
Target organ toxicity (repeated exposure) is the specific target organ toxicity arising from repeated
exposure to a substance or mixture.
10- Aspiration hazard
Aspiration is the entry of a liquid or solid substance or mixture directly in the oral or nasal cavity,
or the trachea and the lower respiratory tract, or indirectly by vomiting. Aspiration toxicity includes
severe acute effects such as chemical pneumonia, pulmonary lesions of various levels or death from
aspiration.
HAZARDS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
1- Dangerous for the aquatic environment
They are differentiated into: acute aquatic hazard or chronic (long term) aquatic hazard. The basic
elements used for classification for aquatic environmental hazards are: acute aquatic toxicity, potential
for or actual bioaccumulation, degradation for organic chemicals and chronic aquatic toxicity.
2- Dangerous for the ozone layer

Occupational hygiene
The process of complex evaluation of chemical health risk:
Step 1 -> Identification of hazards (done in previous sections)
Step 2 -> Toxicological data from dose-response relationship. Establishment of limit values for exposures
to pure substances.
Step 3 -> Exposure assessment
Step 4 -> Determination of risk
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
Curve establishing the relationship between the dose and the effect produced in the target under study.
NOAEL -> no observed adverse effect level
LOAEL -> lowest observed adverse effect level
The toxicological information is used for the establishment of exposure limit values (not carcinogenic):
Derived non-effect level -> DNEL = NOAEL / FS FS: safety factor, between 10-10.000
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EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT
Should be seen as a complementary method to the simplified method, and should be applied to substances
with risk level higher than 1. The two most common methods to assess exposure are atmospheric monitoring
and biological monitoring.
The ED is the average concentration of the chemical agent in the worker's breathing zone, measured or
calculated from weighted form in relation to the time of a day of real work, and taking as a point of
reference a standard work day of 8h.
Evaluation of daily exposure (ED):
a) Full period – single sample
, = .
Where c is the single sample concentration
b) Full period – consecutive samples
./ ∗ 1/
, =
2
Where ci is the sample concentrations, ti the durations of
the respective samples and T the total period of time
c) Partial period – single sample
, = .
Where c is the single sample concentration
d) Partial period – consecutive samples
./ ∗ 1/
, =
1/
Where ci is the sample concentrations and ti the durations of the respective samples
e) Random point sampling
f) Sampling cycles
» Long-term valuation
It is well known that ED is not constant over time, it varies from one day to the other. In general,
based on theoretical considerations and empirical data, it is assumed that the ED behaves like a log-
normal distribution variable.
Factors of variability of exposure:
• variation in the patterns of the shifts
• nature of the processes
• concentration of the contaminant in the breathing zone
• number of sources of emission
• rate of release of contaminants
• contaminant dispersion (air flow, turbulence)
• environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, etc)
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To evaluate the long-term exposure (ED):
DEr = DE / LV-DE
1- Obtain a DE value
2- Calculate the relative DE (DEr) by dividing DE by the relevant limit value (LV-DE)
3- If DEr ≤ 0’1, acceptable exposure
If DEr > 1, unacceptable exposure
If 0’1 < DEr ≤ 1, determine at least two new values fro DEr
4- If DEr1 and DEr2 and . . . DErn ≤ 0’25, acceptable exposure
5- If DEr1 and DEr2 and . . . DErn > 1, unacceptable exposure
6- If any DEr > 0’25 but all ≤ 1 and GM ≤ 0’5, tolerable exposure
7- If GM > 0’5, the options are as follows:
• Improve exposure control and repeat the evaluation procedure
• Obtain new values for DEr and follow the procedure from step 4, until a conclusion is reached

» Short-term valuation
EC means the average concentration of any 15-minute period of the working day. So, unlike ED, for which
there can be no more than one value for each day of work, we can have multiple EC values of many
periods of 15 minutes that fit in a day.
Exposures higher than ED and lower than the EC should not exceed 15 minutes and must not occur more
than 4 times per day. These periods must have a temporal spacing of at least 60 minutes.
DETERMINATION OF RISK
A non-detectable exposure should be presented as < method detection limit (LDM). LDM/2 is considered to
be a good criterion so as not to get significant distortions, however there should be too many
measurements not detectable (> 50%).
» Mixtures
• Greater effect than the sum: synergism, empowerment (non toxic substance, potentiates the toxic
effect of toxic substances)
• Effect equal to the sum: additivity, no apparent interaction
• Less than the sum effect: antagonism (the effect of, at least, on of them is suppressed), inhibition
(non-toxic compounds inhibit toxic compunds)
Dose additivity model: contaminants act according to the same mechanism, differing only in its power.
5/
34 = > 1?
675/
Response additivity model: the nature of mechanisms of action of different contaminants differ, so the
effects will be added.
;< ;@ ;A
The ED analysis implicates using the expression: =>?<
+
=>?@
+
=>?A
…≤1
 Aurora Martinez Serrano
Risk management

Specific measures of prevention and protection and its prioritization (if the general principles are
insufficient):
» RISK ELIMINATION
1- Replacement (total or partial) of chemical agent
It is not easy to find chemicals that are technically feasible as substitutes. Technically viable
substitutes may have also a certain degree of danger, which must be considered.
2- Process modification
Significant reductions in exposure can be achieved by minor changes in the process or by the conditions
in which it operates. Example: reduction of the temperature in which a process operates (especially
volatile liquids) together with the use of retention basins.
3- Intrinsically safe equipment
Use equipment designed for use in processing or transfer of products with certain physic-chemical
properties (corrosiveness, flammability) or in working conditions especially aggressive.
Especially important in the case of flammable and explosive substances if it is not guaranteed that the
working atmosphere is clearly below the lower limit of flammability (LII) and the lower explosion limit
(LEL), respectively.
The design of the reactors should facilitate sampling, measuring instruments, reading and loading and
manual emptying of products with safety. Where spills may occur should there be sampling and
drainage systems to a safe place, in order to facilitate cleaning.
4- Automation
The automation is to replace, in a process, the human operator by mechanical or electronic devices.
 Aurora Martinez Serrano
In this way, workers are no longer in contact with the hazardous chemical agents (cease exposure) or
contact for less time (decreases the exposure) or stay away of foci (decreases the intensity).

» RISK REDUCTION-CONTROL
1- Change of form or physical state
When using powdered substances, it is possible to significantly reduce its tendency to pass to the
environment (thus the risk associated with their use), changing its physical form and using the
granules, grains or other similar more compressed form.
2- Closed process or confinement
Closing the process is to use a tight-close casing in whose interior unfold themselves operations of the
process, without direct human involvement. The containment of the process as a whole is the usual way
of working in manufacturing (food, chemical, pharmaceutical), where they handle large quantities of
chemical agents and at least some of them feature appreciable hazard level.
3- Local extraction
The local extraction creates, by aspiration, a draught that captures the environmental contaminants
in the immediate vicinity of the focus that generates them. Aspiration takes place as close as possible
to the focus of issue. Prevents the contaminant if disperse in the environment and, therefore, prevents
dangerous inhalation exposure concentrations reach or come close to the lower limit of flammability
(LII) or explosive limit (LEL) of the substance.
4- Safe storage of hazardous chemical agents
The employer is responsible for ensuring the safe storage of the existing AQP, both in a specific precinct
exclusively destined for storage, or in situations in which, by requirement of the process, is required
the presence of quantities of AQP at the workplace.
The storage plan should make it possible to meet with speed and accuracy the nature of AQP stored,
the quantity and location in the warehouse, to be able to act promptly and effectively in the event of
an incident (spill, leak, fire, etc.).
The warehouse's security requires that basic measures are applied,
including: safe location of warehouses, away from processing areas or
other risk dependencies (processing station, power plant, etc.) and any
external interference (floods, sabotage, etc.); products grouped
according to the risk, avoiding the joint storage of AQP incompatible
or very reactive.
5- Separation of dirty departments
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6- General dilution ventilation
To renew the air of a place, getting in a proper amount of clean outdoor air and extracting an
equivalent amount of contaminated air. The air can enter naturally (doors, windows . ) or forced (by
fans).
7- Fire prevention
The aim is to identify, for the purpose of disposing or control, the fuel which in its physical state (gas,
steam, finely divided solid) and/or form of storage or use, can ignite easily, as well as the sources of
ignition capable of producing the energy needed to start the reaction.
Fuel control measures:
• Avoid the presence, in the workplace, of large amounts of flammable substances
• The quantities of flammable liquids that must be stored in the working area must be kept in
protected lockers
• The flammable liquids present in the workplace and their residues must be stored in airtight
security and selfclosing containers
• Operations with inflammable gases or liquids during which give off vapours must be controlled by
local extraction and adequate general ventilation
• Dangerous concentrations of gases or vapours which may generate shall be controlled
• The fuel transfers likely to produce splashing or spillage shall be carried out in places with specific
means that prevent and ensure their collection and drainage
• The remains in the equipment that have contained flammable or combustible liquids or finely
divided solids should be cleaned
Measures to control outbreaks of ignition:
• Use of work equipment intrinsically safe
• In the implementation of the operation of loading, unloading or transfer must avoid the generation
of electrostatic loads
• The facilities and electrical equipment must be protected against the risk of fire and explosion
• Must be ensured a thorough control of other sources of ignition

» WORKER PROTECTION
1- Eye washers and showers
Safety showers are the most usual emergency system for cases of projections with risk of chemical
burns and even in cases where clothes catch on fire. Eye wash fountains are designed to allow rapid
and efficient decontamination of the eyes.
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2- Fire protection
Passive protection measures:
• Structural protection of load carriers
• Division of sectors and compartmentalization of different level of risk
• Use of construction materials and coating whose behaviour before the fire is known
• Ensure the removal of smoke generated by the fire
Measures of combat:
• Ensure effective detection, human or automatic
• The number and condition of the escape routes must allow quick and safe evacuation of occupants
• When necessary, the fire-fighting resources and access to escape routes must be flagged
• Have adequate and sufficient firefighting facilities
• The extinguishing agents must be appropriate
Extinguishing agents:
• Class A: solid combustibles (wood, paper, coal, certain plastics, etc)
• Class B: flammable liquids or liquifiable solids (gasoline, kerosene, paints, solvents, etc)
• Class C: flammable gases (methane, propane, natural gas, etc)
• Class D: metals (magnesium, titanium sodium, potassium, etc)
• Water -> class A and B (if liquid is miscible with water)
• CO2 -> class A, B and electric
• Chemical powder -> class A, B & C
• Chemical powder specific for metals -> class D
3- Prevention of and protection against explosions
Prevention and protection measures to consider for improving the protection of the health and safety
of workers exposed to the risks from explosive atmospheres are not covered in this guide, or in the
discipline.
4- Individual protection equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) are the last barrier between the hazardous chemical agent and
the worker.
• Respiratory PPE
• EPI eyepiece
• Cutaneous PPE