Incident Management for Corrosive Substances in an Environmental Laboratory in Accordance with ISO 45001:2018

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to develop a system for managing accidents and incidents associated with exposure to corrosive substances at the Environmental Laboratory of Grupo Químico Marcos CÍA. LTDA. This was achieved by adapting the requirements of the ISO 45001:2018 standard, with the aim of enhancing occupational safety and health. Furthermore, a methodological approach was implemented that combined qualitative and quantitative methods, applying techniques such as document review, critical process analysis, the use of regulatory checklists, and chemical risk assessment, following technical guidelines such as NTP 749 and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and conducting a gap analysis against clauses 6.1.2 and 10.2 of the ISO 45001 standard.

During the diagnostic phase, significant deficiencies were detected in hazard identification, risk assessment, and incident management, leading to a primarily reactive management approach and a lack of systematic event recording. The examination of critical processes related to the use of strong acids and bases (H₂SO₄, HCl, HNO₃, and NaOH) identified areas with a high probability of incidents, primarily due to direct contact, inhalation of vapors, and spills. The results showed significant deficiencies in the identification of chemical hazards, the recording of incidents and the analysis of root causes, reaching a chemical risk level of NR = 300, classified as level 3 which is a moderate to significant risk.

Furthermore, regulatory compliance was only 31.8%, reflecting a predominantly reactive management approach. As a key contribution, a technical and methodological tool based on the PDCA cycle was designed, focused on reporting, causal analysis, and the establishment of corrective and preventive actions, integrating technical, organizational, and human factors. This proposal strengthens a preventative culture and contributes to compliance with clause 10.2 of ISO 45001, promoting continuous improvement in chemical risk management in environmental laboratories.