Health & Safety
Exposure Limit Values
EC Directive 2004/37EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 (Carcinogens Directive) on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at the workplace
Main obligations resulting from the application of the Carcinogens Directive
- Substitution
- Avoiding exposure
- Reducing exposure
Substitution obligation (Art. 4 Carcinogens Directive)
- Replace as far as technically possible
- By substance, preparation or
- process
- which under its conditions of use, is not dangerous or is less dangerous to workers' health or safety as the case may be
- submit findings of investigations to relevant authorities.
Reference documents
- TRGS 619: Technical Rule for Hazardous Substances – Substitute materials for alumino-silicate wool products, February 2007; http://www.baua.de
- VDI-Guideline 3469 Emission control –Production and processing of fibrous material sheet 1 (HTIW), February 2007
- ASSET Report “Les fibres minérales artificielles silicieuses”, April 2007; www.afsset.fr
- INRS “FA 9 - Fiche d’aide à la substitution: Substitution des fibres céramiques refractaires (FCR) September 2007; www.inrs.fr
- COSHH Regulation 7
- HSE Guidance booklet seven steps to successful substitution of hazardous substances
Some countries set specific OELs for ASW/RCF
| Country | OEL f/ml ASW/RCF |
OEL AES |
Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 0,5 | ||
| Belgium | 0,5 | ||
| Czech R. | 1 | ||
| Denmark | 1 | ||
| Finland | 0,2 | ||
| France | 0,1 | ||
| Germany* | no limit | ||
| Italy | [0,2] | Reference ACGIH | |
| Netherlands | 0,5 | ||
| Norway | 0,1 | 0,5 | |
| Poland | 1 | ||
| Slovakia | 2 | ||
| Spain | 0,5 | ||
| Sweden | 0,2 | ||
| Switzerland | 0,25 | 0,5 | PCW 0,25 |
| UK | 1 | 0,2 | |
| USA | 0,5 | ACGIH | |
| Japan | 1 |
* Germany has replaced former TRK value by a risk assessment model for cumulated exposure.
German Dangerous Substances Ordinance, in its amended version 2004.
National Exposure Limit Values
Following EU classification, it was left to the individual member states to develop their own occupational exposure limits (OELs), which are binding within local workers' protection laws. Employer Obligations with respect to Exposure Limit Values
- Information to be submitted to authorities
- Information to be provided to workers on: health risks, handling instructions (including transport, waste)
- Training
- Health surveillance
- Record keeping
Marketing restrictions
Directive 76/769 EC (Limitations Directive), prohibits substances listed in Annex 1 of the Dangerous Substances Directive to be sold to the general public. This prohibition has been transferred to Annex 17 N° 28 of the REACH Regulation on restriction on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of certain dangerous substances, preparations and articles.
No sales of ASW/RCF to consumers.
Safety Data Sheets
Safety data sheets are mandatory for those substances listed in Article 31 REACH Regulation (classification as hazardous, biopersistent or being considered an SVHC for other reasons). SDS have been provided for a long time to customers for all products containing ASW/RCF, AES and PCW.
SDS will be continued to be provided on a voluntary basis for AES and PCW.
