Chemicals and chemical hazards
A workplace health and safety plan is intended to promote the safety, health and well-being of employees. Employers should ensure that the plan is available at all workplaces, regardless of size. The Administration of Occupational Safety and Health in Iceland calls for it in field inspections and digital inspections. The plan includes a written risk assessment and a written health protection and prevention plan.
When carrying out a risk assessment it is necessary to identify risks in the work environment that could potentially threaten the safety, health and well-being of employees, and all aspects of the activity and the work environment must be looked at holistically. In that context it is a good idea to build on the
five main elements of occupational safety and health
, and specific elements if applicable. However it depends on the nature of the activity how complex each risk factor is in the risk assessment.
Once a risk assessment has been made a health protection and prevention plan is drawn up, which deals with the measures that need to be taken so that the risk can be prevented or reduced as much as possible.
Here we discuss chemicals and chemical hazards, which is one of the five main elements of occupational safety and health.
Dangerous substances
Dangerous substances are defined by their nature and the danger they cause or may cause. To be considered dangerous, they must meet the requirements in the regulation on the classification, labelling, and packaging of substances and compounds.
Here we discuss the categories and labeling of dangerous substances, safety data sheets that should accompany dangerous substances, and handling dangerous substances.
Major accident prevention
A major accident is an uncontrolled scenario in the handling of substances, such as a large leak, fire, or explosion, that poses a serious danger to humans and the environment. Companies that use large quantities of dangerous substances are required to prepare a major accident prevention plan.
This section includes information on how to prepare such a plan and conduct a hearing notification procedure. Here you will also find a list of establishments that fall under the major accident prevention regulation.
More on major accident prevention
Working with asbestos
It is harmful to health to work with asbestos and its use is banned in the European Economic Area.
Only those who have the rights and knowledge to work with asbestos are allowed to work on buildings, machinery and boats that contain asbestos.
The Administration of Occupational Safety and Health holds regular qualification courses for those working on asbestos demolition and evaluates applications for asbestos work.
This section provides information about the health risks of asbestos, pollution limits, where asbestos can be found, how to identify it, how to obtain certification for asbestos removal, as well as demolition and disposal procedures.
Service provider
Administration of Occupational Safety and Health