Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace 3.2b: 3.2 Structure the assessment by area, similar exposure groups, chemical groups and real work practice

Assessments can be simplified by dividing the workplace into areas or processes; grouping workers with similar work or substances where exposures are representative as similarly exposed groups; grouping chemicals by form, properties and use, for example solvent-based paints or liquid pesticides used the same way; examining how the job is really done by observing and consulting workers, since workers may depart from procedures because a method is more efficient or the controls or PPE hinder the task, and checking what changes during cleaning, maintenance, breakdown and staff shortages; and sourcing other information such as incident, fire, spill and illness records, including asking workers about symptoms listed on the SDS.