Chemical risk assessment in small companies - what works and what doesn t

1. Chemical risk assessment in small companies - what works and what doesn�t? Ann-Beth Antonsson

2. Directives, legislation and provisions

3. Chemical risk management in SMEs European study Results Many tools and methods to support SMEs chemical risk management available throughout Europe Limited knowledge about their uptake and the results and effects when SMEs use them Conclusion: Need for evaluation of the tools and methods developed for SMEs

4. What methods are effective in supporting chemical risk evaluation in small enterprises? Risk evaluation Risk identification Risk assessment Control measures Effective methods Effect = Acceptance * Quality

5. What methods/tools have been tested? Simplified expert method, generic Questions guide the enterprise through the risk evaluation Call in the OHS (a consultant/expert) to do the job Checklist adapted to sector, pointing at common chemical risks and control measures needed (based on expert risk assessment for sector) Checklist as above, but the entire work environment A comprehensive book about chemical risk management On your own

6. How did we evaluate these working methods? Enterprises in two sectors, graphic and electroplating Randomly selected enterprises with 5-50 employees 10 enterprises from each sector were assigned one of the methods and asked to look at it and try to use it Realistic test, no expert support Interviews at the start, baseline Interviews after about 3 months, if method had been used (or enterprise decided not to use it) Interview after 6 months for remaining enterprises Comparison of enterprises results with expert risk evaluation, for selection of companies

7. Result ?? % of randomly contacted enterprises accepted to test a method On their own time and at their own expense

8. Result 57 % of randomly contacted enterprises accepted to test a method On their own time and at their own expense

9. Result - acceptance

10. Result � Quality (based on comparison with expert risk evaluation)

11. Conclusions �On your own� appreciated. Examples of excellent work but many enterprises are content with what they have already got. Problem: Poor understanding of risk evaluation Checklists pointing at risks and control measures. Fairly well accepted and acceptable quality. Comments on length. Broad checklist better than limited to chemicals. Generic guide � poor risk identification, used for few risks, companies seemed to underestimate risks Consultant � qualified but paid by the companies. Too expensive Book � a lot to read, difficult to translate to what is needed in the company

12. Conclusions There are so many small enterprises � There is a need for improved knowledge about risks, risk evaluation and control measures. Are the training resources sufficient? Sector specific checklists are preferred, when possible � but they should be well adapted to sector Generic guides needs to be supplemented with training Important tool for sectors where checklists are not available Costs for experts limits the use of experts �Just tell us what to do�

13. Conclusion It is necessary to adapt to enterprises conditions and needs if we want to achieve effective risk evaluation and risk control at acceptable costs