Hazard assessment tools

A number of vendors offer software based hazard assessment tools that help determine the magnitude of the hazards involved. With this software, calculations can be made to reflect the hazard for various failures. Some risk ranking software combines hazard assessment with probabilities of occurrence so that the relative risk levels can be assessed. 

Hazard and Risk Assessment Tools The hazard and risk assessment tools used vary with the stage of the project from the early design stage to plant operations. Many techniques are available, both quahtative and quantitative, some of which are hsted in the following section. Reviews done early in projects often result in easier, more effective changes. 

The assessment tool shown in Appendix B, Sample Toller HS E Assessment is designed to draw attention to existing HS E problems. This example may be especially appropriate for toll contracts involving materials or processes of high hazard. 

A Resources to identify chemicals of concern B Chemical toxicity C Exposure assessment tools D Hazard and risk assessment tools E Safer chemistry design tools... 

Development of new and existing Risk Assessment Tools (e.g., Natural Hazards Electronic Map and Assessment Tools Information System—NHEMATIS), Risk Management Tools inclusive of all stakeholders in the process (e.g., CAN/CSA Q850-97 for risk management in Canada, CAN/CSA-Z763-96 specifically for environmental concerns) Effective Risk Communication. 

Owing to the complexity and dynamic character of real environmental scenarios, it is not always possible to predict concentrations with desirable level of precision. Nevertheless, even though experimental measurements are not replaceable by PECs, this approach can still serve as a useful tool for supporting hazard assessment programs. Making predictions also can help identifying compounds or compounds families that should be monitored, as well as what the most exposed compartments... 

Furthermore, it has been shown that the time period until ignition occurs, in the Cone calorimeter, is proportional to the inverse of the flame spread rate [16]. The Cone calorimeter can also be used to provide the mass loss rate information required for the simplified classification into categories of toxic hazard [1] quick toxic hazard assessment. Thus, the NBS Cone calorimeter is a very useful tool to overcome some of the disadvantages associated with measuring a single property at a time. 

Also indices such as the Dow Fire and Explosion Hazard Index and the Mond Index have been suggested to measure the degree of inherent SHE of a process. Rushton et al. (1994) pointed out that these indices can be used for the assessment of existing plants or at the detailed design stages. They require detailed plant specifications such as the plot plan, equipment sizes, material inventories and flows. Checklists, interaction matrices, Hazop and other hazard identification tools are also usable for the evaluation, because all hazards must be identified and their potential consequences must be understood. E.g. Hazop can be used in different stages of process design but in restricted mode. A complete Hazop-study requires final process plans with flow sheets and PIDs. 

The protocols and software developed in this study will give the Pacific Disaster Center tools that will enable it-and other agencies such as the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources and the U.S. National Weather Service-to conduct dam breach hazard assessments more easily. Results of these assessments are expected to be of value for disaster planning, emergency response, and flood warning. 

Understanding fire hazards is essential to risk reduction and fire protection decision-making. A fire hazard analysis (FHA) is a tool used to understand fire hazards. The process of quantifying the fire hazard is typically motivated by the need to determine the overall hazard of a process or facility or to have a decision-making tool for fire protection systems (Chapter 6). An FHA is an important element of a risk assessment and can also be used as a stand-alone hazard evaluation tool. 

Area (or ambient) air sampling is conducted to get an estimate of the numbers of airborne asbestos fibers present in a building. It is used as an assessment tool in evaluating the potential hazard posed by asbestos to aU building occupants. 

Routine genotoxicity tests are not designed in order to derive no-effect levels. However, the magnitude of the lowest dose with an observed effect (i.e., the LOEL) may, on certain occasions, be a helpful tool in the hazard assessment. Specifically, it can give an indication of the potency of the test substance. Modified studies, with additional dose levels and improved statistical power may be useful in this regard. 

The approach to exposure assessment is not as internationally harmonized as hazard assessment. A synopsis of current activities regarding exposure assessment for industrial chemicals in a number of OECD Member countries has been published (OECD 2006). The executive summary of this document states that while there is a significant level of sharing of approaches used for hazard characterization for risk assessment, this is not the case for exposure characterization. Although broad consistency in the overall approaches used by different countries in conducting exposure assessment exists, there is variation in policy-related factors, including the regulatory context for assessment and the way that information is applied, as well as in the types of approaches and tools used. 

This thesis focuses on the applicability of in vitro, in vivo bioassays and bioindicators as tools for evaluating the effects of complex chemical mixtures in the process of deciding whether dredged harbour sediments can be disposed of at sea without serious adverse effects on marine ecosystem and human health. It considers the North Sea delta area in order to determine a comprehensive approach for the application of both in vitro and in vivo bioassays for hazard assessment, advanced risk assessment, and location-specific ecological impact assessment for dredged harbour sediments. To aid in the selection of appropriate, robust and reliable in vitro and in vivo bioassay and bioindication methods for these specific purposes, the uneertainty, predictability and specificity of the bioassays have been explored and the applieability in eombination with other analyses is discussed. The focus of the chosen examples is on bioassays and bioindicators for the relatively well studied dioxin-like contaminants and TBT. 

It is eoncluded that the determination of dioxin-like activity in cleaned sediment extracts using the DR-Luc bioassay has a consistent reproducibility, and can be used as a reliable and robust tool in the hazard assessment of dredged materials in a licensing system. Its advantage over ehemical analysis is that it also detects the effects of combined exposure as well as the effect of unidentified congeners or chemicals present in concentrations below the limit of detection of chemical analysis with a similar mode of action. In addition the use of cleaned sediment extracts circumvents the problem of disturbing sediment matrix effects. 

Pittinger, C.A., Brennan, T.H., Badger, D.A., Hakkinen, P.J. and Fehrenbacker, M.C. (2003) Aligning chemical assessment tools across the hazard-risk continuum, Risk Analysis 23, 529-535. 

The SSTF (Purser furnace) has shown itself to be an excellent tool for generation of reliable data for different materials and fire conditions, for use in robust fire hazard assessments. 

Utilizing Risk-Assessment Tools to Prevent Public Health Hazards.278... 

UTILIZING RISK-ASSESSMENT TOOLS TO PREVENT PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARDS... 

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