Support in risk assessment of laboratory work and substitution investigation

Before starting any new laboratory work or when a new laboratory step in an existing method or new chemical is introduced, a new risk assessment must always be carried out.

For pregnant and nursing staff, a separate risk assessment must also be carried out.

Before purchasing chemicals, the chemical should be assessed regarding existing legislation, usage and possible permits. Users of chemicals are responsible for:

- Risk assessment carried out before work with the chemical begins
- Correct safety data sheet is used
- Permission for the use of the chemical exists or is sought if this is required and the permission must exist before purchase.
- That a substitution investigation has been carried out in cases where it is required.

Risk assessments

The assessment must state, among other things, how the chemical is to be handled. Any environmental and/or health risks of the chemical and its application, as well as protective measures and storage. The assessment must be documented and saved.

The risk assessment should also be reviewed at a frequent interval.

Please note that before chemicals containing CMR substances (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reproductive Disruptive) are used or purchased, a special risk assessment must be carried out by the user. Where a substitution investigation is to be supplemented with the risk assessment.

A risk assessment module is available in KLARA. If using an own model, the rules in current legislation must be applied. No written template currently exists. 

Read more on the Swedish Work Environment Authority's website, where you will find the regulations and general advice:

AFS 2023:10 (New) - Risks in Working Environment arbetsmiljön (only in swedish), Section V - Chemical risk sources, AFS 2011:19 (OLD) - Chemical Hazards in the Working Environment, and AFS 2023:1 - Systematic Work Environment Management (only in swedish),  AFS 2001:1 (OLD) - Systematic Work Environment Management 

Substitution investigation

The Swedish Miljöbalk exchange principle (SFS 1998:808, 2 kap 4§) requires chemical products that are hazardous to health and the environment to be exchanged for substances that are less dangerous through active product selection and substitution. By law, products that consist of or contain the following should be phased out:

  • CMR substances (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reprotoxic)
  • Halogenated solvents that are PBT or vPvB substances (persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic and very persistent and very bioaccumulative, respectively)
  • Particularly dangerous metals such as Cd, Hg and Pb

According to the Swedish Work Environment Authority's regulation AFS 2023:10 (New) - Risks in Working Environment arbetsmiljön (only in swedish), Section V - Chemical risk sources, chemical products that are CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive-inhibiting), according to the hazard statements and risk phrases specified in chapter 8 § 13, may only be handled if there is a documented investigation that shows that it is technically impossible to replace the product.

Support material:

 

Laboratory Safety Handbook