Workplace products

Workplace products — from cleaning agents and solvents to industrial chemicals and nanomaterials — are essential to modern economies but can pose significant risks to worker health and safety. Risks include acute exposures causing burns or poisoning, as well as chronic risks such as cancer, respiratory disease, or reproductive effects. Beyond health, unsafe workplace products can also trigger liability, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage for employers.

The complexity of managing workplace product risks arises from the diversity of materials, evolving scientific evidence, and differences in workplace practices. Regulators establish hazard classification, labeling, and control requirements; employers must maintain compliance and ensure safe handling; and workers need training, protective equipment, and clear communication. Global supply chains further complicate oversight, as products may move across jurisdictions with differing standards.

Risk sciences provide systematic methods to identify hazards, assess exposures, and evaluate the effectiveness of control measures. They also support comparative assessments of alternatives, guiding substitution of high-risk products with safer options. Effective communication and training, rooted in risk science, are essential to fostering a culture of safety.

RSI is committed to strengthening workplace safety through its expertise and experience in managing product-related risks, supporting regulators, employers, and workers alike.