PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Tenkate, Thomas
AU  - Kramer, Desre
AU  - Drolet, Daniel
AU  - Strahlendorf, Peter
AU  - Candeloro, Olga-Sana
AU  - Peters, Cheryl
AU  - Linn Holness, D
TI  - P-398 Chemical risk assessment for small business: development of a tool and resources
AID  - 10.1136/OEM-2021-EPI.312
DP  - 2021 Nov 01
TA  - Occupational and Environmental Medicine
PG  - A115--A115
VI  - 78
IP  - Suppl 1
4099  - http://oem.bmj.com/content/78/Suppl_1/A115.1.short
4100  - http://oem.bmj.com/content/78/Suppl_1/A115.1.full
SO  - Occup Environ Med2021 Nov 01; 78
AB  - Introduction Small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) employ the majority of Canadians, but find it difficult to assess the risks of the chemicals they use and to implement effective control and prevention measures. As such, there is an ongoing need to provide SMEs with easy-to-use tools to identify chemical hazards and assess the risks posed by exposure to chemical agents.Objective To develop CHAP-Risk, a software tool to assist SMEs to easily undertake health and safety risk assessments of the chemicals/hazardous products they use, and assist them to implement effective control measures.Methods We have employed a ‘User Centered Design’ approach which allows end-users to influence how the design takes shape. Our eight step development process is: (1) establish a project reference group, (2a) develop a trial version of CHAP-Risk and its training program based on an extensive review of existing tools and resources, (2b) recruit trial workplaces – 6 workplaces in Ontario were recruited to trial the tool, (3) pre-trail evaluation, (4) training, (5) workplace trial, (6) post-trial evaluation, (7) develop final versions of CHAP-Risk and the training, and (8) CHAP-risk and resources available on website for free download (by September 2021).Results The draft version of CHAP-Risk is currently being trialed by workplaces (trial to be completed in June/July 2021). Initial feedback is positive in regard to the potential benefits and application of the tool, particularly related to improving the ‘workplace contextualization’ of the WHMIS 2015 requirements. However, a number of technical improvements are currently needed to enhance the user experience.Conclusion Tools to support SMEs in undertaking chemical risk assessments are important and the current trial of CHAP-Risk indicates that it will provide SMEs with a useful tool to assist them in assessing and more safely managing their workplace chemicals.