Chemical Risk Management
We support individual companies, government and industry in the management of risks posed by chemicals in the workplace and in the environment. This work ranges from providing impartial information into regulatory processes such as the Existing Substances Regulations (ESR) and REACH, to advising individual companies on managing risks in their workplaces.
Our authoritative, multidisciplinary reviews help industry and other organisations consider the likely health hazards and risks from chemical exposures.
Our work takes many forms and includes:
- Preparation and support for REACH
- Toxicological reviews of chemicals to develop hazard assessments and to inform company purchasing decisions
- Exposure assessment including identification of exposure scenarios, review of published information and company data and application of exposure models.
- Prediction of likely levels of exposure to hazardous substances for planned or occasional operations
- Advice on appropriate occupational exposure limits for substances such as pharmaceuticals for which there are no regulatory exposure limits
- Risk assessment, considering both hazard and exposure. Our work has been submitted to regulatory authorities in response to position papers and hazard classification categories and has been influential in the setting of occupational exposure limits and air quality objectives by EU and government
- Development and evaluation of safety data sheets (SDS)
- Measurement of exposures and evaluation and advice on control measures in workplaces (Occupational Hygiene Services)
- Development of exposure models (Exposure Research)
- Prediction of health impacts and advice following accidental exposures to hazardous substances
- Product safety reviews, for example, health risks associated with the production and use of MDF or the supply of drinking water in PVC pipes
- Independent commentary on industry produced reviews. Our reviews provide industry with increased confidence in their conclusions and impartial external validation