Chemical Safety
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Learning target of the first part of the course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the law that connects exposure to a chemical in an industrial setting to a disease, with the aim of making graduates able to understand the dynamics of claims for compensation or criminal trials that may arise. The aim of the second part of the course is to make so that graduates learn the law that drives the selection of the prevention measures that must be present in the workplace according to EU Law, so that they can make informed decisions and effectively plan safety in an industrial setting.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of class, students will:
1. be able to identify in real-life cases aspects that need to be addressed in order to assess if there is causation between exposure to a dangerous chemical and health issues
2. have a basic understanding on where to research and how to interpret evidence that can confirm or deny the hypothesis of a causation
3. be able to understand requests and reasoning of lawyers and Courts dealing with health effects of chemicals
4. be able to understand and to apply the legal criteria that drive the choice among multiple prevention measures options, in a given industrial setting
5. be able to understand how hazards in the workplace are identified and evaluated through risk assessment, with a very initial ability to perform it directly
1. be able to identify in real-life cases aspects that need to be addressed in order to assess if there is causation between exposure to a dangerous chemical and health issues
2. have a basic understanding on where to research and how to interpret evidence that can confirm or deny the hypothesis of a causation
3. be able to understand requests and reasoning of lawyers and Courts dealing with health effects of chemicals
4. be able to understand and to apply the legal criteria that drive the choice among multiple prevention measures options, in a given industrial setting
5. be able to understand how hazards in the workplace are identified and evaluated through risk assessment, with a very initial ability to perform it directly
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Follows a list of the major topics dealt with:
1) causation in the law: meaning of causation; difference between commission and omission, as facts; the but for test in order to address causation in commission; difference between causation and negligence; necessary and sufficient conditions; general and specific causation; testing causation in omission; universal law and likelihood as a reference to assess general causation; identify multiple facts synergic to an event.
2) risk assessment: definition of hazard and risk; TLV - Threshold Limit Values for Chemicals; how to estimate and rank risks; definition of primary and secondary prevention; Best Available Technology; Classification of Carcinogens according to IARC and ECHA; specific contents of Risk Assessment when a Carcinogen or Dangerous Chemical is used in the industrial process; roles and responsibilities of employer, employees and health professional staff.
1) causation in the law: meaning of causation; difference between commission and omission, as facts; the but for test in order to address causation in commission; difference between causation and negligence; necessary and sufficient conditions; general and specific causation; testing causation in omission; universal law and likelihood as a reference to assess general causation; identify multiple facts synergic to an event.
2) risk assessment: definition of hazard and risk; TLV - Threshold Limit Values for Chemicals; how to estimate and rank risks; definition of primary and secondary prevention; Best Available Technology; Classification of Carcinogens according to IARC and ECHA; specific contents of Risk Assessment when a Carcinogen or Dangerous Chemical is used in the industrial process; roles and responsibilities of employer, employees and health professional staff.
Prerequisites for admission
No previous knowledge or class requested.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons, with explanation of subjects and discussion of plenty of cases and examples.
Teaching Resources
Study is supported by slides that include both the theorical part and summary of most important cases. Reference books are not available since course teaches parts of employment, public and criminal law and corresponding Law School books would be excessively long and complicated for non-law students: their contents was simplified in published slides. Decisions from a few cases will be available as a reading and will be briefed in class by Professor. Direct study of small excerpts of EU Chemical and Carcinogen Risk Directives requested.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Multiple choice written exam, involving both testing of information being learnt and its actual understanding through reasoning and examples. Intermediate exams will be available. If passed, exam grade will be scored from 18/30 (lowest) to 30/30 (best). Grade system also includes 30/30 with honors.
Professor(s)