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/head of research/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 (in Swedish[JG2] ). 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.
Checklist for risk assessment of the work environment
The checklist questions are based on the legislation that applies to laboratory activities and should be used to support risk assessments. As most of the questions are aimed at the employer, the checklist can be used to assess risks before changes in operations when the employer (head of research), safety representatives and employees participate. However, the checklist can also be used by employees, students, and the head of research in risk assessments before new work tasks. The checklist questions loop back to the risk assessment templates. The checklist is only used as a basis for the risk assessment, so it does not need to be saved. The checklist is found under this page’s ”Documents” section.