Effective chemical management begins long before an incident occurs.
At the heart of every safe workplace is a thorough and structured approach to assessing chemical risks. Risk assessments ensure that organisations understand the hazards presented by substances they use, store, or transport, and that appropriate controls are in place to protect people, assets, and the environment.
Chemicals can pose a wide range of risks — from toxic inhalation and skin sensitisation to flammability, reactivity, environmental harm, and long-term health effects. Under regulations such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), employers are legally required to identify these risks and put effective control measures in place.
A robust chemical risk assessment helps organisations to:
Evaluate potential health and safety hazards
Identify exposure routes such as inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact
Determine who may be at risk and under what circumstances
Select and implement appropriate control measures
Comply with regulatory and industry standards
Reduce the likelihood of incidents, injuries, and environmental harm
Ultimately, risk assessments form the foundation of a proactive chemical safety strategy.
A comprehensive assessment should go beyond a simple review of Safety Data Sheets. Effective risk assessments typically include:
This involves cataloguing all chemicals in use or stored on-site, along with their properties, hazards, and potential interactions with other substances.
How chemicals are used matters just as much as what they are. This step examines processes such as mixing, heating, transferring, or disposing of substances.
Assessors must determine the severity of potential harm and the likelihood of exposure. This includes understanding who might be affected — employees, contractors, or the surrounding environment.
Once risks are identified, organisations must implement measures such as ventilation, PPE, spill containment, automated systems, safe storage, and emergency procedures.
A written assessment ensures transparency and accountability. It should be accessible to all relevant workers and incorporated into training programmes.
Chemical risks evolve as processes, substances, or workplace conditions change. Reviews should be scheduled routinely and triggered by incidents, changes in legislation, or the introduction of new chemicals.
Modern software solutions are transforming how organisations conduct and maintain chemical risk assessments. Digital platforms offer:
Consistent templates for documenting risks and controls
Integrated access to Safety Data Sheets and hazard classifications
Automated reminders for assessment reviews
Linkages to incident reports, audits, and corrective actions
Real-time dashboards to track chemical inventories and compliance status
These tools ensure assessments remain current, accurate, and aligned with best practice, while reducing administrative burden.
A risk assessment is only effective when supported by a broader safety culture. Organisations should invest in:
Regular training on chemical handling and emergency procedures
Clear communication about risks and control measures
Encouraging employees to raise concerns and suggest improvements
Leadership commitment to maintaining a safe working environment
By embedding these practices into daily operations, risk assessments become a living, active part of chemical management rather than a box-ticking exercise.
Risk assessments play a pivotal role in protecting people and the environment from chemical hazards. When carried out thoroughly and supported by digital tools, they provide a strong foundation for safe operations, regulatory compliance, and long-term organisational resilience.
In a landscape where chemical risks are ever-present, proactive and well-documented risk assessments are essential for responsible and effective chemical management.
If you're looking for a platform to manage any and all types of assessments, we've got you covered. Falcony | HSEQ is easy-to-use, boosts two-way communication, has customisable workflows, automated analytics, vast integration possibilities and more. Start your 30-day trial or Contact us for more information:
We are building the world's first operational involvement platform. Our mission is to make the process of finding, sharing, fixing and learning from issues and observations as easy as thinking about them and as rewarding as being remembered for them.
By doing this, we are making work more meaningful for all parties involved.
More information at falcony.io.