Occupational hygiene considerations in the development of a structured approach to select chemical control strategies.

This paper explains the occupational hygiene basis of a new scheme to help small firms control the health risks from supplied chemicals. The scheme groups hazard information and the potential for a material to become airborne into bands and, from this information, predicts the control strategy necessary to ensure that the hazardous substance is used safely. To do this a simple model based upon an empirical approach to risk assessment and risk management has been developed. This work was undertaken in a working group established by the Health and Safety Commission's Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances.