CARA RISK ASSESSMENT MODULE

Revision: 2.0

Date: 22/09/14

CARA Module

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Contents

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 CARA Module .......................................................................................................................... 3

1.2 Work Instructions .................................................................................................................... 3

2 Starting off ...................................................................................................................................... 4

3 Section 1 – Product Details ............................................................................................................. 5

3.1 Section 1.0 General Details ..................................................................................................... 5

3.2 Section1.1 and 1.2: Hazard Details ......................................................................................... 5

3.3 Section1.3: Exposure and Volatility ........................................................................................ 6

3.4 Section1.4. Use Conditions ..................................................................................................... 6

4 Section 2 – Assessing the Risk ......................................................................................................... 8

4.1 Area ......................................................................................................................................... 8

4.2 Current Protection and Prevention Measures ........................................................................ 8

4.3 Risk Rating ............................................................................................................................... 9

4.4 Additional Measures Required ............................................................................................. 10

4.5 Risk Rating (After Improvements) ......................................................................................... 10

4.6 Status .................................................................................................................................... 10

4.7 Add another process ............................................................................................................. 10

5 Section 3 – Health and Safety Information ................................................................................... 12

5.1 Section 3.0: Emergency Procedures ..................................................................................... 12

5.2 Section 3.1: Personnel Protective Clothing ........................................................................... 12

5.3 Section 3.2: First Aid Arrangements ..................................................................................... 12

5.4 Section 3.3: Training Requirements ...................................................................................... 12

5.5 Section 3.4: Other Information ............................................................................................. 13

6 Section 4: Publish section ............................................................................................................. 14

7 Contact Us ..................................................................................................................................... 15

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1 Introduction

1.1 CARA Module

The Chemdoc CARA Module tool allows members of staff to easily navigate a step by step process

for completing their documented chemical agent (COSHH) risk assessments. The CARA module

allows you to manage and distribute your site chemical agent risk assessments in conjunction with

your safety data sheets.

Staff can also upload and store completed risk assessments or other chemical safety documents

relevant to each chemical product.

1.2 Work Instructions

This document outlines the instructions for completing your chemical agent risk assessments using

the CARA module on Chemdoc. The instructions are divided into 4 sections based on the sections in

the CARA module:

Section 1: General Information

Section 2: Risk Assessment

Section 3: Health and Safety Information

Section 4: Publish

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2 Starting off

Log into Chemdoc and select your department from the dropdown list .

Figure 1 - : Main Search Screen

Open the safety data sheet (SDS) for the chemical you are completing the CARA on by clicking on the

floppy disk icon. Minimise the safety data sheet and leave the SDS open.

Figure 2 - Icon for opening the Safety Data Sheet

Click on the “Write CARA” icon in the last column. This icon will open the CARA module to complete

the risk assessment for that product.

Figure 3 - CARA Icon for creating a risk assessment

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3 Section 1 – Product Details

3.1 Section 1.0 General Details

Name: Chemical name will appear here

Location: The location/department of use appears here.

Use: The intended purpose of the chemical is entered here. e.g.

dishwashing agent, laboratory reagent, adhesive, surface cleaner.

Safer Alternative Available: Is there a less hazardous alternative that could be used.

Exposure Monitoring Required: Should an occupational monitoring survey be carried out?

Figure 4 - Section 1.0 General Details.

3.2 Section1.1 and 1.2: Hazard Details

This is the section of the risk assessment where the hazard classification of the chemical has been

added. Sections 1.1 and 1.2 have been filled out automatically with the hazard information when the

safety data sheet is uploaded onto Chemdoc.

If the chemical is classified as per the Classification, Packaging and Labelling (CPL) Regulations

(orange and black symbols with risk phrases and safety phrases) the information from Section 2 of

the SDS has been added automatically to section 1.1 of the CARA.

Figure 5 - Section 1.1 of the CARA – CPL symbols & Risk Phrases have been added.

If the chemical is classified as per the GHS classification system, sections 1.2 will be automatically

filled in from section 2 of the safety data sheet.

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Figure 6 - Section 1.2 of the CARA – GHS Pictograms & Hazard Statements have been added.

3.3 Section1.3: Exposure and Volatility

Figure 7 - Section 1.3 Exposure and Volatility

3.3.1 Volatility

In the Volatility Section, select from the dropdown menu one of the following:

Low if the chemical is Solid or Granular.

Medium if the chemical is Dusty or Liquid.

High if the chemical is a Vapour or Gas.

3.3.2 Route of Exposure

Select how the chemical could be taken into the body:

Eye contact

Inhalation

Ingestion

Skin contact

3.4 Section1.4. Use Conditions

3.4.1 Users and Others Exposed

Enter number and title of personnel using the chemical.

To add more personnel click on .

To remove a row click on

Figure 8 - Users and Others Exposed

3.4.2 Amount Used.

Enter details of how much of the chemical is used for each

application

To enter another amount, just click on

To remove a row click on

Figure 9 - Amount Used

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3.4.3 Duration of Contact.

In this area the potential exposure period is entered. The

duration of contact period can be entered by inserting a

numerical value and selecting the appropriate unit of time

from the dropdown menu. In the “Text” box a comment can be

added such as “cleaning benches” or “diluting chemical”.

To enter an additional duration period another amount, just

click on

To remove a row click on

Figure 10 - Duration of Contact

Click to save your work or to move onto section 2 of the CARA.

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4 Section 2 – Assessing the Risk

In section 2, the risk assessment is completed for the following activities associated with the use of

chemical product:

How you use the chemical product within your work area?

How you transport the chemical within your work area?

How you store the chemical within your work area?

How you dispose of the waste generated from the chemical within your work area?

Figure 11 - Section 2 of the Risk Assessment

4.1 Area

Select Use from the dropdown menu and into the blank box underneath

“Use” type in where the chemical product is used.

Note: This must be repeated for the transportation of the chemical, the

storage of the chemical and how the waste chemical and packaging is

disposed of.

Figure 12 - Select Area Type

4.2 Current Protection and Prevention Measures

In the “Protection and Prevention Measures” column enter the current

controls employed when using the chemical product including personal

protective equipment, chemical safety training, first aid kits, spill kits etc.

To add another line in the “Protection and Prevention Measures” column,

click on .

To remove a row click on

Figure 13 - 4.2 Current Protection and Prevention

Measures

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4.3 Risk Rating

In the “Risk Rating” section enter the severity rating of the chemical and the

likelihood of an incident occuring.

(See Fig 15 - Severity Rating Guide and Fig 16 - Likelihood Rating Guide

Note: The severity rating will generally remain constant throughout the

Use, Transport, Storage and Waste sections of the CARA.

Figure 14 - Risk Rating

Rate Description Details

1 Negligible Adverse event leading minor injury not requiring first aid.

2 Minor Minor injury or illness, first aid treatment required <3 days absence. <

3 days extended hospital stay. Emotional Distress.

3 Moderate Significant injury requiring medical treatment e.g. Fracture and/or

counselling. Agency reportable, e.g. HSA, Law Enforcement (violent

and aggressive acts). >3 Days absence, 3-8 Days extended hospital

stay, Emotional Trauma

4 Major Major injuries/long term incapacity or disability (loss of limb) requiring

medical treatment and/or counselling

5 Catastrophic Incident leading to death or major permanent incapacity.

Event which impacts on large number of patients or member of the

public

Emotional / Physical trauma and/or disability

Figure 15 - Severely Rating Guide

Rate Description Details

1 Improbable So unlikely, it can be assumed it will not occur

2 Remote Unlikely, but can be reasonably be expected to occur

3 Occasional Likely to occur sometime.

4 Probable Will occur several times

5 Frequent Likely to occur often

Figure 16 - Likelihood Rating Guide

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4.4 Additional Measures Required

If during the risk assessment, additional control measure are identified e.g.

Chemical Safety Awareness training is required, type the additional

measures into the blank space provided.

To add another line in the “Additional Measures Required” column, click on

.

To remove a row click on

If there are no additional measures, select the button.

Figure 17 - Additional Measures Required

4.5 Risk Rating (After Improvements)

In the “Risk Rating (After Improvements)” section enter the severity rating

of the chemical and the revised likelihood of an incident based on the

recommendations in the previous section being implemented.

(See Fig 15 - Severity Rating Guide and Fig 16 - Likelihood Rating Guide

Note: The severity rating will generally remain constant throughout the

Use, Transport, Storage and Waste sections of the CARA.

Figure 18 - Risk Rating (After Improvements)

4.6 Status

If there are additional measure(s) to be implemented select “Incomplete”

from the drop down menu in the Status Column.

Enter the date the measure(s) will be implemented by and the name of the

person who is responsible for them.

Figure 19 - Status

4.7 Add another process

Click the button to add another process.

Repeat steps 4.1 to 4.6 for the transport of the chemical, the storage of the chemical and the

disposal of the chemical.

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When all four sections (Use, Transport, Storage and Waste) have been completed, enter the name of

the assessor and the date the risk assessment was completed into the spaces provided.

Figure 20 - Assessor Name and Date

Click to save your work or to move onto section 3 of the CARA.

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5 Section 3 – Health and Safety Information

Section 3 deals with Emergency Response, Personnel Protective Clothing, Training, Occupational

Exposure Limits, Health Surveillance and Pregnancy Hazards.

5.1 Section 3.0: Emergency Procedures

Enter the details of the procedure followed in the event of a spill and in the event of a fire into the

spaces provided. Give the location of the department spill kit and fire assembly point.

Figure 21 - Section 3.0 Emergency Procedure

5.2 Section 3.1: Personnel Protective Clothing

Enter the Personal Protective Equipment

required to be used or worn when using this

chemical e.g. Nitrile gloves, apron, overalls,

safety boots.

To add another line click on .

Figure 22 - Personal Protective Equipment

5.3 Section 3.2: First Aid Arrangements

In section 3.2.1, enter the location of the first aid equipment e.g. first aid box and eye wash station

in your area.

In section 3.2.2, enter the name of the person and details of the person to be contacted in the event

of a first aid emergency.

To add another line click on .

Figure 23 - First Aid Arrangements

5.4 Section 3.3: Training Requirements

Section 3.3 covers specialised training that may be required for the chemical

Is specialized training required

for this product?

Select Yes or No

Who will provide it? Enter the name of the organisation that will provide the training.

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Who is responsible for

organising this training?

Enter the name/title of the person will is responsible for

organising the training.

Figure 24 - Training Requirements

5.5 Section 3.4: Other Information

5.5.1 Occupational Exposure Limits:

Figure 25 - Occupational Exposure Limit

Go to section 8 of your safety data sheet and enter

The chemical name,

The OEL for 15 minutes (STEL) or the OEL for 8 hours (TWA)

into the spaces provided in section 3.4 and select the unit of measurement from the dropdown

menu e.g. mg/m3, PPM etc.

If there are no Occupational Exposure Limits provided in the safety data sheet for the chemical,

leave this section blank in the CARA.

UK occupational exposure limits are set out in the Health & Safety Executives EH40/2005

Workplace exposure limits

Irish Occupational Exposure limits are set out in the Health and Safety Authority’s 2011

Code of Practice, for the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents)

Regulations

To add another line for a chemical, click the button

5.5.2 Health Surveillance

In this section, enter the health surveillance details and arrangements for the chemical undergoing

the risk assessment.

5.5.3 Pregnancy Hazard

Check the product classification in section 2 to see if the product has been identified as a pregnancy

hazard. Also check Safety Data Sheet Section 11 and the product label for additional information.

If it is identified that the chemical is a pregnancy hazard, click “Yes” in section 3.4

Click to save your work or to move onto the publish page.

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6 Section 4: Publish section

Enter the required Review Date in the highlighted field. This is the

date that the Risk Assessment should be next reviewed

Date must be entered in the following format dd/mm/yyyy.

Figure 26 - Review Date

Once you have entered the review date click on button.

“Save Draft” will save the changes you have made in the CARA builder but will not publish them to

the live system. Use this if you wish to review your work at a later date before publishing the risk

assessment.

To preview the draft Risk Assessment click on

The Preview CARA button allows you to review the completed risk assessment to ensure all

information has been added correctly.

To publish your completed Risk Assessment you click on the button.

Once the Risk Assessment is completed a new icon will appear on the front search screen to show

that the document is completed for that product.

Users can click on this icon to view the Risk Assessment that has been completed.

Figure 27 - Open Risk Assessment Icon

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7 Contact Us

Chemdoc is a chemical safety management system developed and managed by DCM Compliance ltd.

Company Name: DCM Compliance Ltd

Address: Unit 2B Annacotty Business Park

Annacotty

Limerick

Ireland

Phone UK: +44 20 8133 4551

IRL: +353 61 405455

E-Mail support@chemdoc.co.uk