SEIRICH: a computer-based information and support tool for chemical risk assessment in the work environment

Uses of Chemicals placed on the European market within the framework of the REACH regulation require in the end a field assessment according to the provisions of the French Labour Code. Numerous methods exist for assessing chemical risks in the work environment in France, taking into account risks to health, fire, explosion and environment. These methods should be harmonised in order to ensure consistency among prevention actions. For this purpose, INRS has developed a software named Seirich.

The methodology deployed in Seirich is part of a national agreement on prevention of chemical risk, and involves numerous partners, including the French Ministry of Labour, the Occupational Risk Directorate of Social Security and several trade organisations. This tool includes the changes due to the classification and labelling of substances and mixtures according to the CLP regulation (EU regulation EC 1272/2008). The methodology includes several steps implemented as functionalities: inventorying of products and emitted substances; ranking of products and emitted substances according to their risk level ; chemical risk assessment adapted to the user's degree of expertise ; technical and legal advice adapted to the context ; follow-up for prevention actions.
The description of the methodology and the Seirich software are available for download free of charge, via the www.seirich.fr website (in French). Since June 1st 2015, Seirich has been downloaded by more than 10.000 companies in France and abroad and several training sessions have been organized for helping companies in chemical risk assessment with Seirich.