Chemical risk assessment checklist
Version 1 · https://conformata.io/checklists/workplace/chemical-risk-assessment-checklist · Made with Conformata. Guidance, not legal advice; sources at https://conformata.io/checklists/workplace/chemical-risk-assessment-checklist/sources
Chemical risk assessment checklist
Free chemical risk assessment checklist for US workplaces, based on OSHA hazard communication and PPE rules: SDSs, labels, exposure, controls, training.
How often: Set by your organization. Review the assessment when a new chemical hazard is introduced into the work area, since employees are trained again at that point.
- Sections
- 8
- Checks
- 43
- Critical
- 1
- Sources
- 41
0/42 answered
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Work area or location *
Task or process being assessed *
How often is the task done? *
Routine (part of normal work)Non-routine (for example cleaning a vessel or a one-off job)
Chemicals used or produced in the task, by the product identifier on each safety data sheet *
Name of the person doing the assessment *
Date of assessment *
The workplace has a written hazard communication program that covers labels, safety data sheets and training *
YesNo
Every hazardous chemical used in this task is on the workplace chemical list under the product identifier shown on its safety data sheet *
YesNo
The written program says how employees are told about the hazards of non-routine tasks like this one
YesNoN/A
The written program covers how employees are told about chemicals in unlabeled pipes in this work area
YesNoN/A
Employees can see the written program when they ask for it *
YesNo
A safety data sheet is on hand for each hazardous chemical used in this task *
YesNo
Employees can reach the safety data sheets during every shift while in their work area, on paper or electronically, with nothing in the way *
YesNo
Where a labeled hazardous chemical arrived without a safety data sheet, one has been obtained from the manufacturer or distributor
YesNoN/A
Hazards of each chemical, taken from Section 2 (hazard identification) of its safety data sheet *
Ways people could be exposed during this task *
Breathing in vapor, mist, dust or fumeSkin or eye contactSwallowing (for example from contaminated hands)Injection through the skin (for example high-pressure equipment or sharps)
Who could be exposed (job roles, other employers' workers, visitors) and for how long *
Any exposure limits that apply to these chemicals have been identified from the standard that sets them or from Section 8 of the safety data sheet *
YesNoN/A
Where exposure could approach a limit, air monitoring or another measurement has been done or planned
YesNoN/A
Storage and handling in this area match Section 7 (handling and storage) and Section 10 (stability and reactivity) of each safety data sheet, with incompatible chemicals kept apart *
YesNo
Notes on exposure limits, measurements and storage
Every container of hazardous chemical in the area is labeled, tagged or marked *
YesNo
Workplace labels show the product identifier and the hazards, in words, pictures or symbols *
YesNo
Labels are legible, in English and prominently displayed *
YesNo
Labels on incoming containers are intact, not removed or defaced *
YesNo
Any unlabeled portable container was filled from a labeled container only for the immediate use of the person who filled it
YesNoN/A
Unlabeled stationary process containers are identified by signs, placards, process sheets, batch tickets or similar written materials available in the area
YesNoN/A
For airborne contaminants, engineering controls such as enclosure, local or general ventilation, or substitution with a less toxic material are used as far as feasible *
YesNoN/A
Ventilation and other engineering controls for this task are switched on and working during the task
YesNoN/A
Where respirators are needed, they are used under a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures *
YesNoN/A
A PPE hazard assessment covers this task and has a written certification naming the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation was performed, and the date *
YesNo
The PPE chosen in the hazard assessment, checked against Section 8 of the safety data sheet, is provided and worn *
YesNo
PPE for this task is free of defects and damage *
YesNo
Where eyes or body could be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, quick-drench or eye-flushing facilities are within the work area for immediate use *
YesNoN/A
Employees doing this task were trained on the chemical hazards in their work area at initial assignment and again when a new chemical hazard was introduced *
YesNo
Training covered how to detect a release, the protective measures for this task, and how to read the labels and safety data sheets *
YesNo
Employees can say where the written program, the chemical list and the safety data sheets are kept *
YesNo
Other employers' workers in the area (for example contractors) can get the safety data sheets for chemicals they may be exposed to
YesNoN/A
Remaining risk after the controls in place *
Low: controls in place are adequateMedium: further controls plannedHigh: task stopped until further controls are in place
Further controls or actions needed
Person responsible for the actions
Date to review this assessment
Assessor's signature
Sign the printed copy, or sign electronically in Conformata.
I assessed the chemical hazards of this task as recorded above.
Signature
Name and date
Run it with your team in Conformata
- Schedule it per site and assign it to the right people.
- Turn every failed check into a corrective action that someone else verifies.
- Keep signatures, photos and the full audit history across sites.
Answers on this page stay on this device; they are not transferred.
Frequently asked questions
What does OSHA require for assessing chemical hazards?
Several OSHA rules call for parts of one. The hazard communication standard requires a written hazard communication program [4] with labels, safety data sheets and training. For PPE, the employer assesses the workplace for hazards [32] and verifies it through a written certification [34]. Substance-specific standards can add their own exposure assessment; the lead standard, for example, starts with an initial determination of whether any employee may be exposed at or above the action level [2]. This checklist brings the general pieces together for one task; check whether a substance-specific standard also applies.
Where do I find the exposure limit for a chemical?
Look in Section 8 of the chemical's safety data sheet [20] and in the OSHA standard that applies. For substances in Table Z-1 of 29 CFR 1910.1000, exposure must not exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average given for that substance [1]. This page does not repeat limits because they differ by substance.
What has to be on a workplace chemical label?
Built from 41 official sources
Every check traces to the text it is based on. Read the purpose, how to use it, the rules behind it, what it does not cover and every source.
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Guidance, not legal advice. It does not replace the law, the manufacturer's instructions or your organization's competent people, and completing it does not certify that work is safe.