Hazard assessment data collection

After the hazard assessment has been conducted and the data has been collected, it should be organized in a logical outline that will estimate the potential for employee injury The organized data will help to decide the type of hazard(s) involved, the level of risk, and the seriousness of potential injury The appropriate levels of PPE are then selected based on the hazard determination and the availability of PPE. The user should be properly fitted for the specified PPE, and the employer should make sure that it is comfortable to wear. Hazard reassessments should be conducted as necessary based on the introduction of new or revised processes, equipment, and accident experience, to ensure the continued suitability of selection of the proper PPE. 

Data collected in drift studies may later be interpreted in risk assessments in conjunction with toxicity data for specific sensitive areas. Eor example, a risk assessment for determination of appropriate mitigation (if necessary) may include field study data on exposure risk from drift, along with information on other routes of exposure (e.g., dislodgable residues, runoff, etc.) and toxicity data from laboratory and/or field study models. The results of such an assessment may be used to estimate whether a given exposure represents a hazard to any specific entity or ecosystem. 

The data to be used in a hazard assessment can be collected from publicly available criteria documents and monographs from international bodies, peer reviewed articles and other publications, and international databases. In some cases, unpublished data from, e.g., industry can also be available for the assessor. 

He then goes on to outline methods to be developed to reduce these losses. These are primarily along the lines of data collection and data analysis. Apparently insurance companies have assessed the potential loss in chemical and petrochemical plants as follows (Ref 10) For a number of years Industrial Risk Insurers has been cing a calculation method to estimate the potential for probable loss in plants where a vapor cloud hazard exists that uses the following criteria ... 

From the perspective of the chemist, DQA can be broken down into seven steps shown in Figure 5.3. Similar to the DQO process, the steps may undergo several iterations before the final statement is formulated depending the purpose of data collection, some of these steps may be modified or even omitted. For example, a DQA conducted for hazardous waste disposal data will not be nearly as extensive as the one for a risk assessment project. 

US EPA s approach is essentially an application of NAS , tailored to provide guidance for assessing risk associated with contamination in environmental media. Adverse health impacts associated with exposure to the chemical of concern are identified through the hazard identification, dose response, and toxicity assessment. Exposure is evaluated during the exposure assessment and data collection and evaluation steps. 

In the course of a hazard assessment project, the input maps derived from field observations can be updated rapidly when new data are collected. Also, after completion of the project, the data can be used by others in an effective manner. 

Several OSHA regulations require that a hazard assessment be performed, and that all data or flndings collected be analyzed and organized, and that written records are kept. For instance, at 1910.132(d)(1) and (d)(2), OSHA requires that the employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present. The assessment is then used to determine the type of personal protective equipment that might be required. 

Hazard Data should record every identified hazard. For each hazard, the information listed later in this section should be recorded as soon as it becomes available. Data collected dming Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment should be transcribed to the Hazard Log when the reports have... 

Data collected dining Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment is... 

The graphical evaluation made from doses and responses will give a relationship curve from which some key parameters can be derived. These are important standardised key values, which are commonly used for hazard evaluation and risk assessment of chemicals. A toxicity data collection for many chemicals can be found in Rippen [28]. 

A successful job hazard analysis ( HA) will involve collecting job data, developing the job steps and task, creating cause and effect diagram(s), the hazard assessment, and using a risk matrix to identify probability and severity... 

Assessment Phase The assessment phase aims to collect data needed to identify and analyze pollution-prevention opportunities. Assessment of the facility s waste-reduction needs includes the examination of hazardous waste streams, process operations, and the identification of techniques that often promise the reduction of waste generation. Information is often derived from obsei vations made during a facihty walk-through, interviews with employees (e.g., operators, line workers), and review of site or regulatory records. One professional organization suggests the following information sources be reviewed, as available (Ref. 7) ... 

The concept of risk assessment requires a profound understanding of food dynamics and technological conditions that may impact the risk levels of certain hazardous compounds. It requires that scientific information and data are collected to underpin conclusions about risk levels. Risk assessment can be used to scientifically underpin the selection of hazards that must be covered by a quality or safety assurance system (e.g., HACCP) that will improve the reliability of the system. 

---