산업안전보건법상 화학물질로부터 근로자의 보호― 위험성 평가제도를 중심으로 ―

Industrial Safety and Health Law in Korea regulates Chemicals used in workplace with the purpose of preventing workers from exposure to hazard and risk materials. Chemicals are a vital part of our daily life. A ‘hazard’ is something that in itself may cause harm or injury. A ‘risk’ concept means the likelihood that a hazard will cause a specific harm or injury to persons or damage to property. ‘Risk assessment’ is a systematic approach to assessing the potential health risks associated with exposure to known or potentially toxic agents. Risk assessments can be used in a variety of contexts, including evaluating exposure to chemicals associated with consumer products, occupational settings, or specific contaminated sites. Risk Assessment is the process of identifying safety and health hazards associated with work, assessing the level of risks involved, and prioritizing measures to control the hazards and reduce th risk in clauses 41a of the Industrial Health and Safety Act. Every employer principal must conduct a risk assessment in relation to the safety and health hazards associated with any routine and non-routine work carried on at the workplace. Risk Assessment covers the general duty of care and the more specific duties(Risk Management Duty)in the Industrial Health and Safety Act. As a result employers should 1. eliminate chemical risks, 2. remove the hazardous chemical or substitute a less hazardous substance, 3. enclose or isolate the hazardous chemical process through the use of remote and enclosed handling techniques etc.