ABSTRACT
Assessment of the hazards and risks associated with the use of chemicals and the nature and cause of chemical-related injury and disease is an important factor in prevention. Workplace assessment entails a process that identifies existing and potential hazards, evaluates the nature of the hazard and implementing appropriate measures for their control. The basis of contemporary legislation for toxic chemicals is in line with contemporary occupational risk management approaches, and consists of identification, assessment and control of chemical risks in a coordinated, managed manner. Generic assessments are workplace assessments where the assessment of one workplace is used for the assessment of another. As part of the development of an information base, a process should be developed which identifies new materials entering the workplace, so that these can be targeted for assessment and action. The process of workplace assessment essentially provides a framework for a qualitative preliminary subjective survey of workplace hazards.
