2016 Volume 7 Issue 2 Pages 117-119
The laboratory environment can be a hazardous place to work. Laboratory workers are exposed to numerous potential hazards. One of the hazards is chemicals used in laboratory. It is important to have an appropriate method to assess chemical hazard risk in laboratory. We used Occupational Hazard Band (OHB) to assess health risks from chemical exposure. OHB considers exposure based on seven parameters which take into account the characteristics of the materials used, their emission potential, the conditions of use, duration and frequency. The final result will show us risk rating as blue, green, yellow or red. It was used to assess 10 chemical reagents used in waste laboratory. Information of the material characteristics was found in Safety Data Sheets (SDS), while material conditions of use and classic parameters were discovered by direct observation and laboratory workers interview. From 10 reagents assessed, we found 9 reagents usage have “Green” risk level which mean still in acceptable situation. While, we found 1 reagent usage that categorized as “Yellow”risk level. Thus, we suggest that the company has to monitor the situation carefully and establish a better control in order to reduce the health hazard risks arising from chemicals used.
