Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA)

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Date:
7^th-8^th January 2019

Place/Venue:
Universiti Tun Hussien Onn Malaysia (UTHM)

Participants:
FKAAS Community

Description:
In compliance to the Occupational Safety and Health ACT 1994 (OSHA 1994) and Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standard of Exposure to Chemical Hazardous to Health) Regulations, 2000 Fakulti Kejuruteraan Awam dan Alam Sekitar (FKAAS), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) has carried out the CHRA Assessment. The assessment was conducted on 7^th and 8^th January 2019.

The main objective of the assessment is to assess the risk to the health of the employees and persons working in the laboratory area from the exposure to the chemical hazardous to health. The appropriate control measures, induction, and training of employees, monitoring and health surveillance that are available to protect the health of employees were also looked into and assessed. “Assessment of the Health Risks Arising from the Use of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace (A Manual of Recommended Practice. 2nd Edition) 2000” and “A Guide for Writing a Chemical Health Risk Assessment Report, 2005” is used as the guideline and reference for this assessment and report.

The processes and work units involved in this assessment are:

1. W1 – Environmental Laboratory Personnel
2. W2 – Material Engineering Personnel
3. W3 – Wood Fabrication Personne
4. W4 – Waste Water and MPRC Personnel
5. W5 – Environment Analysis Personnel
6. W6 – Store Keeper Personnel

One hundred and twenty (120) chemicals hazardous to health (chemicals and chemicals release) were assessed from all work units.

In general point of view, FKAAS, UTHM, has an established health and safety management system in place. There is a lot of effort being put in to achieve the requirements as stipulated under the OSHA 1994. With the commitment from the top management of FKAAS, UTHM there is definitely no excuse for anyone at the campus not to adhere to the rules and regulations. However, there is still some improvement that could be made to further enhanced their current Occupational Safety and Health Management System and with the continuous training and enforcement being given to the relevant personnel, it is certain that the significant health risk as identified under this qualitative assessment would be reduced to the minimal risk possible.