Before beginning a hazard assessment, carefully define the scope of your assessment and assemble your team to help get everyone organized and set expectations. Understanding how to assess risk and select appropriate control measures will help you establish protocols to maintain a safer working environment.
Hazard assessment is an ongoing process with no definitive end point. Revisit hazard assessment in your lab regularly. Discuss any incidents, injuries, and near misses. Capitalize on opportunities for continual learning and hazard review when new lab workers join your team, or when new or updated equipment arrives.
"Hazard" and "Risk" are NOT the same.
Hazard | Risk |
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This collection of methods and tools for assessing hazards in research laboratories is based on the publication, Identifying and Evaluating Hazards in Research Laboratories [PDF]. The guide was published in 2015 by the Hazard Identification and Evaluation Task Force of the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Chemical Safety in response to a recommendation from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board.
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