Affiliations: [a]
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| [b]
Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
| [c] Ontario Public Service Employees Union, North York, ON, Canada
Correspondence:
[*]
Correspondence to: Dr. Thomas Tenkate, School of Occupational and Public Health, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada. Tel.: +1 416 979 5000; thomas.tenkate@ryerson.ca.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training is obligatory for Ontario workplaces. The purpose of this training is to help workers understand the health and safety issues associated with using chemicals, including how to understand the information contained in the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) that come with all chemicals. However, many workers still do not know how hazardous workplace chemicals can be and they find it difficult to objectively determine the level of hazard posed by the chemicals they use. OBJECTIVE:A team of researchers, unions, and health and safety associations created a tool for Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC) of small and medium-sized businesses to help them identify, assess and prioritize the health hazards posed by workplace chemicals using SDSs as the primary source of information. METHODS:The team recruited the JHSCs of six workplaces to pilot the usefulness of the Chemical Hazard Assessment and Prioritization (CHAP) tool. The CHAP tool helps workplaces rank their chemicals within one of five hazard levels using information contained in SDSs. RESULTS:Despite a difficult recruitment process, the participating JHSCs thought the CHAP process of assessing and prioritizing their workplace chemicals was useful. It raised their awareness of chemical hazards, increased their understanding of SDSs, and helped them prioritize their chemicals for improved control measures. CONCLUSIONS:Small and medium-sized businesses found the tool to be useful, but suggested that an electronic version would be easier to use.
Keywords: Occupational health, safety data sheets, chemical hazard assessment, hazard banding, diffusion of innovation
