Chemical Risk Assessment

A chemical risk assessment evaluates the health risks of worker exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Chemical exposure can cause acute effects such as chemical burns, respiratory irritation, and poisoning, as well as chronic effects including occupational cancer, organ damage, respiratory disease, and reproductive harm. The risk assessment determines the exposure controls needed to protect workers.

This template addresses the assessment of all hazardous chemicals including gases, vapours, mists, fumes, dusts, liquids, and solids that may present health or safety hazards. It follows the methodology required by WHS Regulation 2025 Part 7.1, which requires the PCBU to identify hazardous chemicals, obtain and review Safety Data Sheets, assess the risk of exposure, and implement controls to eliminate or minimise the risk.

The template includes current workplace exposure limits for commonly encountered hazardous chemicals, guidance on interpreting Safety Data Sheet hazard information, and a structured approach to assessing exposure by inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion routes. It covers both routine exposure during normal operations and potential exposure during abnormal conditions, spills, and emergencies.

A chemical risk assessment is required under WHS Regulation 2025 Part 7.1 whenever hazardous chemicals are used, handled, stored, or generated in the workplace. This includes chemicals that are purchased and brought into the workplace, chemicals generated by work processes (such as welding fume, silica dust, and wood dust), and chemicals that may be encountered during work activities (such as asbestos during renovation or contaminated soil during excavation).

The assessment must be conducted before a new hazardous chemical is introduced to the workplace, when the way a chemical is used or stored changes, when new information about the chemical's hazards becomes available (such as a revised WEL), when monitoring results indicate that exposure may be above acceptable levels, and when a health effect associated with chemical exposure is reported.

The assessment must consider all routes of exposure (inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion), the duration and frequency of exposure, the effectiveness of existing controls, and the combined effects of exposure to multiple chemicals.

How This Is Different

This chemical risk assessment template is authored by occupational hygiene professionals who conduct workplace exposure assessments and atmospheric monitoring. The template includes current workplace exposure limits and provides guidance on determining whether monitoring is required based on the chemicals used, the quantities involved, and the ventilation conditions. Generic chemical risk assessment templates ask users to list chemicals and hazards without providing the technical framework to assess whether exposure is likely to exceed safe levels. Our template provides the assessment methodology needed to make informed decisions about control measures and monitoring requirements.