When the use of a new chemical is contemplated, alone or as part of a synthesis, there are three fundamental questions that require satisfactory answers: Is enough known about the potential hazards to avoid an accident? How severe will the consequences be if an accident occurs? Are lab personnel adequately protected by the in-place safeguards? labHIRA is a software application developed for the research lab environment. Its purpose is to rapidly identify and assess the potential hazards in the use and handling of chemical(s). In other words, to support the researcher in answering the three questions. Over 40 hazard descriptors of molecules, are used to characterize the risk potential of each reagent involved in the synthesis. It is straightforward to use and takes less 5 minutes to provide a hazard evaluation of the focus chemical – the full database comprises over 9,000 chemicals. The result is a hazard rating, minimal through severe, for each reagent used for the synthesis step. Based on these ratings, recommendations are presented regarding the need, or not, for a formal process hazard analysis before starting work. The risk analysis also highlights aspects of each reagent that may need specialized PPE or handling procedures. Specific recommendations are offered for risk mitigation measures to take before starting work. An audit checklist, specific for each chemical is provided to assist the researcher with the risk reduction activities. Interpreting these data, as a whole, provides a comprehensive view of the potential hazards involved in the synthesis before starting the work. labHIRA provides a hazard ranking chemical by chemical, and an assessment of the severity of an upset.

Rapid chemical risk assessments for researh labs

255th National Meeting (2018)

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