Working with Chemicals: Requirements and Safety

Working with Chemicals – Safety Requirements and Your Responsibilities as an Employer

Many workplaces use chemicals in various forms, ranging from cleaning products and paint to specialized industrial substances. While chemicals are essential for many processes, they also pose a potential risk to employee health and safety. As an employer, you have a strict legal responsibility to ensure the safe handling of chemicals. This guide provides an overview of key safety requirements and your obligations, including new regulations regarding diisocyanates.

Legal Requirements: The Chemical Regulations and the Employer's Responsibilities

The handling of chemicals in the workplace is regulated by the Regulations on the Performance of Work, specifically Chapters 2 and 3 (the Chemicals Regulations). These regulations set forth clear requirements regarding the employer’s obligations to prevent health hazards and accidents. The main principle is that employers must ensure that employees are not exposed to hazardous chemicals to a greater extent than necessary, and that all handling is carried out safely.

Substance Database: The Central Overview

One of the most important tools in chemical management is a chemical inventory. All businesses that use or store hazardous chemicals are required by law to maintain a chemical inventory. This inventory must provide an overview of all chemicals, and for each chemical, it must include:

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS): Detailed information about the chemical's properties, hazards, and safety measures.
• Risk Assessment: An assessment of the risks associated with the use of the chemical in the specific work situation.
• Measures: Description of the measures to be implemented to eliminate or reduce the risk.
• Instructions for Use: A concise and easy-to-understand user guide for employees.

The chemical inventory must be easily accessible to all employees who work with chemicals, and it must be kept up to date.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS): Key Information About Chemicals

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a standardized document that accompanies all hazardous chemicals. It contains 16 mandatory sections that provide detailed information about the chemical, including:

• Identification of the substance/mixture and the company.
• Hazard Identification.
• Composition/information about ingredients.
• First aid measures.
• Firefighting measures.
• Measures to Take in the Event of an Accidental Release.
• Handling and Storage.
• Exposure Control/Personal Protective Equipment.
• Physical and chemical properties.
• Stability and reactivity.
• Toxicological information.
• Ecological information.
• Waste management.
• Transportation Information.
• Regulations.
• Other information.

It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that employees have access to and understand the information in the relevant SDSs.

Risk Assessment and Measures for the Use of Chemicals

Before a chemical is put into use, a thorough risk assessment must be conducted. This assessment must identify potential hazards and evaluate the risk of exposure. Based on the risk assessment, the employer must implement measures in accordance with the following hierarchy:

1. Substitution: Replace hazardous chemicals with less hazardous alternatives.
2. Technical measures: Ventilation, containment, and automated processes to reduce exposure.
3. Organizational measures: Limit exposure time, rotate staff, and establish good procedures.
4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gloves, safety goggles, respiratory protection. Personal protective equipment (PPE) should always be a last resort and used in combination with other measures.

Exposure Registry: For Substances of Particular Concern

For employees exposed to carcinogenic or mutagenic substances, employers are required by law to maintain an exposure registry. This record must include information on who has been exposed, to which substance, and for how long. The record must be retained for at least 40 years after the last exposure and is important for monitoring employees’ health over time.

New Requirements for Diisocyanates Starting in 2023

As of August 24, 2023, new and stricter training requirements came into effect for everyone who handles diisocyanates. Diisocyanates are found in many polyurethane products, such as adhesives, sealants, insulation foam, and paint, and are widely used in the construction industry. Exposure can lead to serious respiratory allergies (asthma).

This requirement means that anyone who handles diisocyanates, either directly or indirectly, must have completed special training and passed a test. Komplett HMS AS offers a customized course on the safe use of diisocyanates that ensures your employees meet these new legal requirements.

Training in Chemical Handling

Employers are required to provide all employees who work with chemicals with the necessary training and information regarding risks and safety measures. This includes training in:

• General Chemical Safety.
• Specific hazards associated with the chemicals they use.
• Proper use of PVU.
• What to do in the event of an accident or spill.

Komplett HMS AS offers relevant HSE courses covering chemical handling and other important HSE topics. A key advantage of our courses is that many of them are available in a variety of languages. This is particularly important in industries with many foreign workers, to ensure that everyone gains the necessary skills.

Komplett HMS AS – Your Expert in Chemical Safety

With 10 years of experience in the industry, Komplett HMS AS is your trusted partner for ensuring safe chemical handling at your company. We offer not only training courses but also consulting services to help you establish a substance inventory, conduct risk assessments, and implement effective safety measures.

Make sure your company complies with the Chemicals Regulation and protects your employees. Contact us at kundeservice@kompletthms.no or call us at 46 66 64 67 for guidance and training. We are located at Kanalveien 107, 5068 Bergen, and our organization number is 918 899 197.

Invest in chemical safety—it’s an investment in your employees’ health and your company’s future.

Current Courses and Services

• Chemical Handling Course
• Course on Diisocyanates

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