Simplified Chemical Risk Assessment Methodology

Abstract

The article was elaborated with the intention to present a simplified chemical risk assessment methodology and to evidence the added value of the use of this type of tools in the occupational health and safety field. It is verified that the use of simplified methodologies does not replace the quantitative evaluation of the risks, but it allows to prioritize levels of intervention and to assist in verifying the adequacy of the collective and individual protection equipment implemented. It also reduces the costs of quantitative risk assessments and the length of these procedures. Quantitative assessment is only necessary if the risk remains and / or if there is a need to strengthen the validation of the interventions performed. A further advantage of the simplified methodologies is that they can be applied to chemical agents that don´t have exposure limit value established and in which the only thing known is their physical and chemical characteristics.