Hazardous substances Basic requirements/measures

Hazards

• Hazardous substances can lead to health hazards through inhalation, contact with the skin, mucous membranes and ingestion through the mouth.
• Other hazards, e.g. fire and explosion hazards, may exist. Possible interactions with other workplaces must be taken into account.

Protective measures

• Create a risk assessment.
• Determine whether a hazardous substance is involved. Check whether less dangerous hazardous substances can be used and whether hazards can be avoided or reduced by using other work processes and work equipment.
• Information on hazardous substances and mixtures is listed in the safety data sheet. In case of insufficient information, ask the manufacturer.
• If no safety data sheet is available, one can be requested from the supplier.
• Define protective measures. First take technical protective measures before organizational and individual protective measures such as personal protective measures are considered.
• Create operating instructions .
• Detailed information and draft operating instructions on hazardous substances are available online in WINGIS.
• Observe employment restrictions and prohibitions, e.g. for young people and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Use the operating instructions to instruct employees about the hazards in a comprehensible form and language before starting work, but at least once a year and before using a new product/process.
• Instruct young people at least every six months.
• Inform employees about first aid measures.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while working.
• Avoid skin contact.
• When decanting into smaller containers, use only unbreakable and resistant containers, e.g. plastic containers, and label them in the same way as the original container.
• Avoid splashes when decanting (e.g. using siphons or pumps).
• Remove wet clothing immediately.
• Work clothing, including footwear, must be stored separately from street clothing and cleaned regularly.
• Observe skin protection: Use specific skin protection before work and after breaks, cleanse skin properly after work and before breaks, use skin care products after cleaning and at the end of work.
• If necessary, wear personal protective equipment such as chemical protective gloves, protective clothing, respiratory protection.

Occupational health care

• Arrange occupational health care according to the results of the risk assessment (mandatory care) or offer it (optional care). Advice on this from the company doctor.