Risk assessment templates

Risk assessment for new work tasks

Before every new work task involving students and staff, a risk assessment must be conducted. The line manager/teacher must participate and sign the risk assessment. In a risk assessment, all work tasks, and complete laboratory work must be risk assessed, not just the handling of an individual chemical. Before beginning the risk assessment, it is essential to read safety data sheets, handling and safety instructions, procedures, manuals, relevant chapters of the laboratory safety manual and other related documents. No work can begin before a risk assessment is completed, and all necessary measures have been taken to prevent ill health and accidents at work. The staff can initiate a risk assessment, but the head of research must ensure that it is conducted. The risk assessment template is found under this page’s “Documents” section. Documentation procedures are handled by each school. Control of the actions takes place in various forums of the schools; the employer is responsible for controls.

Risk assessment before changes in operations

When planning changes to operations, the employer must assess whether the changes entail risks of ill health or accidents that may need to be remedied. Changes include remodelling, new construction, changing premises, changing work content, changing work equipment, purchasing new equipment, new chemical products, staff changes, pregnancy, etc. The employer must provide employees, safety representatives and student safety representatives the opportunity to participate in carrying out the risk assessment. The employer or head of research initiates the risk assessment and calls a meeting between safety representatives and employees. The risk assessment template is found under this page’s ”Documents” section. Routines for documentation are handled by each school. Control of the actions takes place in various forums of the schools; the employer is responsible for the controls.

Risk assessment for pregnant and breastfeeding employees and students

Pregnant and breastfeeding employees are particularly vulnerable to risks present in the laboratory; as the employer, you are responsible for conducting an individual risk assessment of the work environment together with the pregnant or breastfeeding employee. If the employee wishes for the safety representative to participate in the risk assessment, the safety representative must be included. In the event of pregnancy, the risk assessment must be carried out as soon as the employee has notified the employer of the pregnancy. Risks in the laboratory are prevented in three steps:

• Step 1: Modify the work environment to eliminate harmful exposure
• Step 2: If the risks cannot be eliminated assign other, risk-free tasks
• Step 3: Leave of absence and pregnancy benefit from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan)

The manager is responsible for retaining the risk assessment and ensuring it is entered into Public 360.