SafeUse Risk Module

Description of the methodology for the risk module.

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The SafeUse risk module enables risk assessments of the products at different levels in the organization. By recording the amount and the method of use at each location, it is possible to map how the products are used, and to make a rough analysis of the risk of further work. Note that this is a mapping and assessment of chemical health hazards, it does not involve a fire and explosion hazard.

The figures and total score in the model
Totalscore = Health effect x Used amount x Methode of use

Weighted score	Health Effects	Mode of Use (Examples)
7 7	Life-threatening / irreversible damage	Spray application Aerosol Risk of leakage in the pressure system Decomposition due to oppvarming heating
5 5	Invalidating / irreversible damage	Open basin Application on larger surfaces Heating of liquids Dust formation during machining
3 3	Significant / reversible damage	Partially closed system Washing machines Closed degreaser
1 1	Damage unlikely	Closed system – low risk of leakage

Weighted score	Used Amount
4 4	More than 1000 kg / yearly
3 3	50 to 1000 kg / year
2 2	1 to 49 kg / yearly
1 1	Less than 1 kg / yearly

Matrices in SafeUse

The above model is seen in SafeUse as a total score in the risk list, and in the matrices as shown. Based on categorization of potential health effects and methode of use as well as amount of use, risk is described in the matrices, where red means high risk, yellow gives medium risk and green causes low risk.

It is important that the categorization of usage volumes is adjusted to the individual business based on the amounts they handle annually so that the full range of the scale is utilized. Based on the categorization of potential health effects, mode of use and amount of use, coarse analysis can result in a priority list for further work on risk reduction and minimization of chemical health hazards.

From mapping to analysis
The model describes that from this priority list an assessment of risk reduction is made. It is then natural to take action on the chemical that has achieved the highest total score and look at the possibility of reducing risk. Allocated weighting for respectively health effects, mode of use and usage rate, also indicate primary risk contributions, indicating the potential for risk reduction, for example, if you want the greatest benefit of replacing chemical with alternative product due to high contribution from health effects ranking or whether focus should be on changing mode of use to reduce risk of usage or if a combination of these is most relevant. Used in this manner, this risk assessment model will also be a single substitution assessment tool (ie, replacing “hazardous” chemicals with less dangerous products).

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