Chemical Hazard Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment Proforma

Link for: Hazardous Substance Risk Assessment Form

The University proforma represents a harmonised approach to dealing with assessment of risk from hazardous substances in an integrated format. It fulfils the requirement to assess the hazards to health from chemicals as required by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations and also the assessment of the fire and explosion risks of any work activities involving dangerous substances as required by the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR).

It should be remembered that an assessment needs to consider the specific persons involved in the activity and the location of the work as well as the processes and procedures. It should be particularly noted that if it is reasonably foreseeable that in the event of a leak and/or spillage of a dangerous substance, the lower explosive limit for that substance will be reached then a more detailed risk assessment will be required.

When making an assessment consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and it is important to remember:

  • waste materials
  • signatures of assessors and supervisors
  • annual review date

and, where necessary, reference should be made to:

The Safety Office's Guide to Hazardous Substance Risk Assessment (HSD131C) offers more detailed information. Two sample completed proformae are available as well as the form itself:

This proforma is subject to review at appropriate intervals.

For further information contact a member of staff for chemical safety advice.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

The SDS for the substance should be freely available from the supplier.  It will contain important information about the chemical in the state it is supplied (pure, mixture, solid, liquid or solution).

The SDS will also reference further hazard information such as the Globally Harmonised System of Labelling, including Hazard Statements and Precautionary Statements.