Hazard evaluation information sources

In the stepwise process, the risk evaluation combines the results of the second step, hazard evaluation, with any information on actual exposure possibilities, including evaluating exposure sources, levels, frequencies, types and routes. The assessment effort involves interpreting the field verified data from the perspective of determining what the actual risk level to humans and the environment is in the real world circumstances posed by the activity being evaluated. 

Source Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service, California Department of Health Services (updated January 2007). 

Chapter 2 provides a useful section on the issues associated with hazard evaluation and offers a compilation of sources for toxicological information... 

There are two appendices in the standard which many employers may find helpful. Appendix A is a discussion of Health Hazards and Appendix B contains the Hazard Determination Guidelines and Sources. Appendix A states that the employer shall, when assessing the health hazard potential of a chemical for purposes of compliance with this standard, consider the scientifically well-established evidence of any type of health effect which may occur in any body system of his/her employees. The employer is encouraged to consult Appendix B for sources of information to assist him/her in conducting the hazard evaluation. 

If a chemical is described in the table as carcinogenic but an lARC category is not given, lARC has not classified the chemical, but other sources (eg, US Environmental Protection Agency and California Department of Health Services Hazard Evaluation Service and Information System) consider it carcinogenic. 

There are various sources of additional helpful information on toe safe use of solvents in the workplace. The Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service (HESIS) of California s Department of Health Services has a 50-page document (Using Solvent Safely) that describes methods of using solvents in the workplace. This document includes information on solvents that pose reproductive problems to both women and men. For more information, visit their website on http //www.ohb.org/solvmenu.htm. ... 

Evaluate quantitative information on toxicity. Consult the information sources to determine the LD50 for each chemical via the relevant routes of exposure. Determine the acute toxicity hazard level for each substance, classifying each chemical as highly toxic, moderately toxic, slightly toxic, and so forth. For substances that pose inhalation hazards, take note of the threshold limit value time-weighted average (TLV-TWA), short-term exposure limit (STEL), and permissible exposure limit (PEL) values. 

Identify the hazards - Placards, container labels, shipping papers and/or knowledgeable persons on the scene are valuable information sources. Evaluate all of them, and then consult recommended safe response procedures before placing yourself and others at risk. 

Pb as the vessel burst pressure in bars. Other sources are Baker Explosion Hazards and Evaluation, Elsevier, 1983, p. 492) and Chemical Propulsion Information Agency Hazards of Chemical Rockets and Propellants Handbook, voT. 1 NTIS, Virginia, May 1972, pp. 2-56, 2-60). 

The first step is to identify the substances present at the workplace. As a starting point, knowledge of the process is needed in order to formulate a list of all chemical agents used in the establishment. The list should include not only primary products but also intermediate and final products, as well as reaction products and by-products. For the chemical agents in the list, it is necessary to know their chemical properties, especially hazardous ones their OEL values, including biological limit values and, where these are not available, other technical criteria that can be used to evaluate the risk. It is also helpful to include any information on the safety and health risks of those substances provided by the supplier or other readily available sources. This information on dangerous substances and preparations, in the form of safety data sheets, is intended primarily for industrial users, to enable them to take the measures necessary to ensure the safety and health of workers. 

To chanicterize potential disasters by tjpe and extent, a survey of hazards or foreseeable tlireats in die community must be performed and evaluated. Widiout such information, an appropriate plan cannot be developed. An inventory of the community protection assets, liazard sources, and risks must be done before die actual plan is written. The procedures followed here is similar to diat provided in Part IV of this book - Hazard Risk Assessment. 

The potential sources of hazards should be listed for risk assessment. SARA requires certain industries to provide information to the planning committee. Information about snuill as well as large industries is necessary to perinit the committee to evaluate tlie significant risks. Tlie information required by SARA (some of which was provided in Cliapter 2) includes ... 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the nation. These sites make up the National Priorities List (NPL) and are the sites targeted for long-term federal cleanup activities. Methyl parathion has been found in at least 16 of the 1,585 current or former NPL sites. However, the total number of NPL sites evaluated for this substance is not known. As more sites are evaluated, the sites at which methyl parathion is found may increase. This information is important because exposure to this substance may harm you and because these sites may be sources of exposure. 

Evaluate the potential consequences associated with major and minor loss-of-containment events and other possible emergency situations involving the hazardous materials and energies ana take this information into account in the process of site selection and facility layout and the evaluation of the adequacy of personnel, public, and environmental protection (Source Models, Atmospheric Dispersion, Estimation of Damage Effects). 

---