How to think when creating a Safety sheet via the risk assessment module.

This article has been translated with machine translation.

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This article includes the following sections: 

1. Introduction

2. How should you think when filling in information in the “Description” field?

3. How should you think when filling in information in the “Handling instructions” step?

4. Your own instructions for the user

• Hazardous identification
• Precautionary measures
• Handling
• Personal protection
• Decontamination and waste
• First Aid
• Fire
• Symbols

1. Introduction

In iChemistry there are product-based safety sheets and activity-based safety sheets.

The product-based safety sheet, which is automatically created in iChemistry for a product, can be used as a safety sheet until you have carried out a risk assessment of the activity/work task. We recommend that you use the activity-based safety sheet instead of the product-based one.

Read more about product-based and activity-based safety sheets here.

When you have started your risk assessment, it is in the “Handling instructions” step of the risk assessment module that you can create your own activity-based safety sheet. See image:

The system auto-generates handling instructions (activity-based safety sheet) based on the information in the “Description” field, which can be found under the second step “Handling and exposure” in “Handling and storage” in the Risk Assessment module, as well as from the safety data sheet (SDS). See the following two images:

2. How should you think when filling in information in the “Description” field?

Specify how the product is handled and try to describe the activity in detail by filling in information about how the product is used/applied, where it is used, and how it is stored. The information should be relevant and clear, as it will become part of the safety sheet, and employees should easily be able to absorb it and get important guidance.

In this field, you should include information on how often you handle the product (frequency), the time you may be exposed to or come into contact with the product (duration), as well as the quantities handled and any specific requirements.

Frequency, duration and quantity can, for example, be specified in the following format:

3. How should you think when filling in information in the “Handling instructions” step?

When creating your activity-based safety sheet via the risk assessment module, you can choose what should be displayed on your activity-based safety sheet. Just as for the “Description” field, the information you enter should be relevant, clear, and provide employees with important guidance.

If you want to compile the safety sheet from scratch, uncheck the box “Base the safety sheet on the following product SDS”. See image:

“Show hazard pictograms from all SDS” should be checked. The system will then automatically transfer all hazard pictograms from the safety data sheet (SDS) to the activity-based safety sheet. See image:

Then fill in the fields with the information from the SDS that you consider appropriate for the safety sheet.

If you do not want to compile the safety sheet and all fields manually, you can use the system’s help by checking “Base the safety sheet on the following product’s safety data sheet.” Then click “Transfer information” to automatically transfer data from the SDS directly into the fields. See image:

Note that information is only transferred to the sections you subscribe to.

Once the information from the SDS has been automatically transferred, you can adapt the content to what you want employees to have access to.

Consider the recipient of the information in the safety sheets and adjust the text accordingly. Correct when needed by removing unnecessary information, such as references to different standards and sections. The text should be simple, clear, and easy to read.

The purpose is that employees should quickly be able to take in relevant information when preparing for work or in case of an accident.

4. Your own instructions for the user

You can enter or modify already automated transfers from the safety data sheet as needed. See examples per field below:

Hazardous identification

Enter hazard statements (H-phrases) and EUH-phrases found under section 2 of the SDS, as well as any other risks such as slipping hazards in case of spills (oils, greases).

Precautionary statements (P-phrases), signal words, or EUH210: Safety data sheet are available on request, should not be included.

Example of how you can add hazard statements, EUH-phrases, and other risks:

H229 Extremely flammable liquid and vapour

H319 Causes serious eye irritation

H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness

EUH066 Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.

If no hazardous properties are present, write:

“Product is not classified as hazardous.”

Precautionary measures

Enter any preventive measures that apply to the workplace and that must be in place before work begins.

In this field you may also inform about measures connected to special requirements that must be in place before work starts:

• Allergens: For products classified as H317 and/or H334 containing reactive resins, there are specific requirements, such as mandatory training with a training certificate, completed medical examination, or medical check-up with a fitness certificate.

See Table 1 for example texts regarding specific requirements for allergenic resins.

Table 1:

Handling

Base this on information in section 7 of the SDS as well as relevant precautionary statements (P-phrases) from section 2. Fill in relevant handling and storage instructions. Consider the product’s hazardous properties (classification in section 2, physical form in section 9) as well as the handling to assess which protective measures are needed. Use common sense.

Enter information under the following headings:

Handling: See section 7.1 of the SDS

Storage: See section 7.2 of the SDS

See Table 2 for example texts regarding handling and storage.

Table 2.

Personal protection

Base this on the personal protective equipment available at the workplace being risk assessed. Evaluate whether the current protective equipment provides adequate protection. Assessment can be supported by information in section 8.2 of the SDS, the product’s classification in section 2, as well as the way the product is handled.

If information is missing, e.g. on glove material or type of respiratory protection in section 8.2, you can contact either the supplier of the product or suppliers of gloves/respiratory protection for guidance.

Enter information about personal protective equipment in the “Personal protection instructions” field, e.g. type of respiratory protection, glove material, and eye protection. You can also add other measures, such as instructions that signs indicating open handling of allergenic substances should be posted on doors to the premises or near the area of use.

Also check the relevant symbols for personal protective equipment under “Mandatory signs.”

Decontamination and waste

This field in the handling instructions is divided into two headings. Describe how the waste is managed. Refer to existing waste routines and/or see section 13 of the SDS, for example:

1. Products classified as hazardous:

Waste:
Residual waste must be treated as hazardous waste.

Spills:
Absorb spills with inert material (e.g. Absodan). Handle as hazardous waste.

2. Non-classified products:

Waste:
Residual waste is sorted at source.

Spills:
Small spills are wiped up with paper while larger spills are absorbed with Absodan or equivalent. Collected spill is sorted at source.

First Aid

Fill in information from section 4.1 “Description of first aid measures” in the SDS. It is important to include first aid measures for all four routes of exposure: inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, and ingestion. Carefully read through the text in section 4.1 and keep only essential information.

Fire

Fill in information from section 5.1 regarding suitable and unsuitable extinguishing media. If you have specific extinguishing media available at your workplace, add that information.

Information from section 5.2 about specific hazards may need to be added if, for example, particular hazardous substances are formed/released during fire. If only general substances are listed that are always released during fire (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide), that information does not need to be included.

Symbols

Select appropriate symbols for mandatory actions, fire, warnings, equipment, etc. See images 6 and 7.

Choose mandatory symbols according to the protective equipment to be used.

For classification H314: symbol for eyewash and emergency shower is required.

For classification H318: symbol for eyewash is required.

6. Symbols for, among others, eyewash and emergency shower

If the product is flammable, check the symbol for fire extinguisher.

Image 7. Symbol for fire extinguisher

If your company needs additional support regarding how you should think and how you can best adapt your safety sheets, you can contact your account manager.

While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, this translation may not be entirely error-free. Please consider this when interpreting the information.

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