Safe management of hazardous chemical substances used in hospitals, was evaluated. The study was developed using a risk assessment approach, applied to a sample of hospitals of Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social, in its three levels of complexity: national, regional and periferical hospitals. The aim was to determine deficiencies in hazardous chemicals management, including possible hazards, exposition and toxicity of commonly used substances in Costa Rican health care facilities. The study revealed the amounts of chemicals consumed, risk areas, and risk population in the hospitals included in the sample. Results indicate a major use of xylene in Pathology services, being these units risk areas, as well as laboratories, and storage zones. Risk population .includes employees in charge of cleaning operations and maintenance of the facilities; this situation gets worse because of the absence of institutional procedures for' hazardous chemicals management.

Risk; hazard; exposition; hospital complexity; hazardous chemical; risk population