1. Control Banding Options
AIHA Alberta Local Section
March 14, 2013

2. Current Control Banding Models
France (Risk Potential Hierarchy)
The Netherlands (Stoffenmanager)
Norway (KjemiRisk)
Belgium (Regetox and SOBANE)
Singapore (SQRA)
Korea (KCT)
Germany (Chemical Management Guide)
ENFORM Guide and E-tools

3. France (Risk Potential Hierarchy)
Chemicals are assigned to categories based on:
hazard classification and labelling (I–V),
frequency of use (I–IV), and
quantity used (I–V).
Quantity and frequency of use scores are combined to create a classification by potential exposure (I–V, based on expert opinion).
The scores for hazard and potential exposure are combined to give an overall product score and priority classifications (A=elevated, B=middle, and C=weak)
French only.

4. The Netherlands (Stoffenmanager)
Web-based tool for SMEs for working safely with chemical substances
Gives qualitative risk score; allows employer to select various control measures based on score (similar to COSHH Essentials)
Can provide expert analysis using its quantitative exposure assessment score (requires expert user)
The program does both inhalation and skin risk assessments
Accessible in English

5. Norway (KjemiRisk)
Chemicals are grouped into one of five health hazard categories based on R- and S-phrases
Developed for Norwegian (offshore) oil industry
KjemiRisk application the asks user:
about common tasks & handling of the chemical
its physical state
duration and frequency of use
potential for exposure
the appropriateness of controls in place
In hands of hygienist can be an expert analysis tool
If used buy others provides rough qualitative (Red, Orange and Green risk ranking)
English accessible

6. Belgium (Regetox and SOBANE)
Regetox uses the French Risk Potential Hierarchy approach to first rank hazards and then uses the COSHH Essential model to develop recommended controls for highest risk exposures (Available in French and Dutch)
SOBANE uses a screening approach to identify main problems and solve simple ones immediately, then observation process is used to solve more complex ones with the help of experts (Available in French and Dutch)

7. Singapore (SQRA) and Korea (KCT)
Both are recently developed systems similar to COSHH Essentials and are based on the International Chemical Control Toolkit (ILO)
The Korean tool is only open to members while the Singapore SQRA is paper based tool and can be found at:

8. Germany (Chemical Management Guide)
Two part chemical management scheme:
Module 1 – Identifying Hot Spots
Module 2 – Making a Comprehensive Inventory
Paper based and available in English
Uses ILO and COSHH Essentials classification process to rank hazards into control bands in Module 2

9. Control Banding Models Summary
All attempt to provide a qualitative assessment of risk with the aim of getting employers to take action now rather than waiting until they get monitoring results
Most use processes similar to COSHH Essentials to group chemicals into similar control bands based on R-phrases
Some can be used for quantitative risk assessment with the addition of more data by experts
All are quite conservative in assigning control bands and in the recommendation of controls
Validation exercises have shown that the models recommend controls that are equal to or greater than those recommended by hygienists in 85 to 90% of cases.

10. Control Banding Models Summary
Problems have occurred mostly in the adequacy of controls that were implemented. In some cases, particularly those involved with LEV use for dusts, controls failed to bring exposure down below OELs (i.e. hygiene monitoring is still required to validate effectiveness of controls)
All models have problems dealing with complex exposure situations. They tend to default frequently to calling in an expert.
North American adoption has been slow because of the lack of R-phrases on MSDS.

11. Control Banding Models Summary
Where they have been implemented user acceptance has been quite high (80%) and most (>50%) have implemented controls as a result of using the models.
Models all show great promise in motivating non-experts to take action on control of chemicals.

13. “Better be roughly right than precisely wrong”

14. A Two Part Chemical Management Scheme
Module 1 – Identifying Hot Spots
Module 2 – Making a Comprehensive Inventory

15. Module 1

16. Module 1 – Step 1 Fact finding & Identification of possible “hot spots”
Draw a ground plan of the company and use it on a site walk through to identify areas where:
waste, loss, contamination or expiry of a substance
potential hazards created in the way that chemicals are stored, mixed, transported and used
Look for strong chemical smells, spills, dust clouds, spoiled or expired chemicals, places where workers complain about health effects or created makeshift controls

17. Example: Beautiful Printing Inc.

18. Module 1 - Step 2: Analysis of effects related to costs, hazards and environmental impacts

19. Module 1 - Step 3: Analysis of causes – Why are chemicals being wasted, why do risks exist?

20. Module 1 - Step 4: Development of measures
Minimise the number of workers exposed
Minimise the duration and intensity of exposure
Reduce the quantity of chemical agents
Appropriate hygiene measures
Provide suitable equipment and establish safe maintenance procedures
Design and organisation of processes, layouts and workplaces
Suitable safe work procedures
Chemical emergency procedures

21. Module 1 - Step 5: Action/implementation of measures (chemical management action plan)

22. Create a system of continuous improvement:
Module 1 - Step 6: Evaluation and integration into the company structure
Create a system of continuous improvement:
evaluate the actions undertaken to determine if the set objectives were achieved
communicate and reward results
monitor results to ensure that improvements are maintained
establish new targets and areas for action in order to make further improvements in the company’s operations.

23. Module 2

24. Module 2 - Step 1: Fact finding/inventory of chemicals

25. Module 2 - Step 2: Risk and cost assessment
Obtaining R and S – Phrases:
Take them from a GHS compliant MSDS or
If not available you can find them for most commonly used chemicals on International Chemical Safety Cards:

26. Use R phrases to get ILO hazard classification

27. Use R phrases to get skin hazard group

28. Estimating amount in use

29. Estimating dustiness - solids

30. Estimating volatility - liquids

31. Determining control approach

32. Control approaches

33. Determining skin control approach

34. Skin control approaches

35. Module 2 - Step 3: Analysis of causes
Firstly, identify the most costly and most hazardous chemical substances as well as the most dangerous situations occurring in your company.
Then ask:
Is too much of the substance kept at once in stock?
How are substances spilled and wasted in the production process?
Are there different forms of this substance (e.g. granular or liquid instead of fine powder) on the market which are less hazardous?

36. Module 2 - Step 4: Development of measures
Do the simple things first:
Minimise the number of workers exposed
Minimise the duration and intensity of exposure
Reduce the quantity of chemical agents
Appropriate hygiene measures

37. Module 2 - Step 4: Development of measures
Compare existing controls against those recommended by your analysis
Determine how your workplace can be modified to implement the recommended controls
Bring in specialists to develop specific recommendations for substances that require Control Approach 4 or Special Control Measures for skin.

38. Module 2 - Step 4: Development of measures
Require eye protection if there is any danger from splashing chemicals or flying particles or if MSDS has the R phrases R 36, R 41, R 34 and/or R 35
Require RPE if recommended controls are Control Band 2, 3 or 4 and the control is not available.

39. Module 2 - Step 5: Action/Implementation of measures

40. Create a system of continuous improvement:
Module 2 - Step 6: Evaluation and integration into the company structure
Create a system of continuous improvement:
Evaluate the actions undertaken to determine if the set objectives were achieved
Use list of chemical substances to consider how your entire operating context and production process could be improved
Find cheaper and safer alternatives

41. Group Exercise – Applying Model to Chrome Plating Shop

42. Chrome Plating Room Diagram

43. Chrome Plating Process Flow Diagram

44. Chemicals used Sodium Hydroxide in Water Sulphuric Acid in Water
Chromic Acid mixed with Sulphuric Acid
pH Inhibitor (sodium metabisulfite and sulphuric acid solution)

45. Chrome Plating Cell

46. Chrome Plating Reactions
Chrome plating half reaction:
Cr2O H+ + 6e- => 2Cr3+ + 7H2O
Neutralization of hex chrome with bisulphite:
Na2S2O5+H2O => 2NaHSO3
3NaHSO3+2H2CrO4+3H2SO4=>Cr2(SO4)+3NaHSO4+5H2O

47. Part 1
Use the GTZ tool (Module 1) to come up with a Chemical Management Action Plan to deal with “hot spots” based on what you saw in the video and the chemicals that you observed.

48. Part 2
Use the GTZ tool (Module 2) to complete a site chemical inventory
What additions will you make to the Chemical Management Action Plan you developed in Part 1 as a result of this analysis?

49. Questions?