Hazardous substances & dangerous goods
Efficient hazardous substance management: a must for every business owner
Every business owner who uses hazardous substances in their company is legally required to systematically record and assess the risks associated with their work. Especially in big companies with lots of workplaces, it’s super important to keep track of how hazardous substances are handled.
A functioning hazardous substance management system helps to ensure the safe handling of hazardous substances and to identify and minimise potential hazards at an early stage. This management system continuously deals with hazardous substances and the resulting risks in order to ensure safety in the workplace.
Hazardous substance management: Legal requirements and economic benefits
With the entry into force of the amended Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV) on 26 October 2010, key European regulations such as REACh and the GHS (CLP Regulation) were transposed into German law. This significantly increased the personal responsibility of company owners and managing directors for the handling of hazardous substances.
Entrepreneurs who use hazardous substances are legally obliged to record and assess the hazards associated with their work. An overview of hazardous substance handling is essential, especially in large companies with many workplaces. Professional hazardous substance management helps to ensure safety and minimise the risk of hazards in the long term.
Good hazardous substance management also pays off from an economic perspective: accidents involving hazardous substances can lead to considerable financial losses and lasting damage to a company’s image. Hazardous substance analyses and hazardous substance management based on these analyses are therefore essential for every company.
HSE-Ingenieure GmbH provides comprehensive support in setting up and operating an internal hazardous substance unit and in integrating a legally compliant hazardous substance management system that takes into account all legal requirements, standards and guidelines.
If we can assist you in setting up a legally compliant hazardous substance management system, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Hazardous substance management: A structured approach for companies
Companies and businesses that use a variety of hazardous substances in different areas of work should implement a structured and risk-aware hazardous substance management system. Well-organised hazardous substance management helps to minimise risks and ensure safety in the workplace.
In addition to creating a hazardous substance inventory, the operator is also obliged to examine the substitution of hazardous substances with less hazardous alternatives and to regularly evaluate the use of hazardous substances.
A key element of this management is the appointment of a hazardous substances officer or the establishment of an internal hazardous substances unit, which performs the following tasks:
- Cross-departmental contact point for the use of specific substances
- Review and procurement of documents, such as safety data sheets
- Review of the conditions of use of hazardous substances
- Substitution: identification of substitute substances or determination of protective measures
- Issuing of permits for handling hazardous substances, with conditions if necessary
- Preparation of operating instructions
- Implementation and initiation of training
- Preparation of instructions for external companies
- Carrying out workplace measurements to monitor exposure
- Ensuring the proper labelling of hazardous substances
- Organising the safe transport of hazardous substances within the company
- Supporting departments, e.g. in the event of legal changes in accordance with the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV)
Effective hazardous substance management not only reduces hazards in the workplace, but also ensures that all legal requirements are met. Systematic management of hazardous substances and regular evaluation of their use can prevent accidents and ensure the protection of employees.
Compliance with legal obligations through a hazardous substances register
In order to fully comply with legal requirements such as the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV), REACh, CLP Regulation and AwSV, all relevant hazardous substances in the company must be recorded, analysed and processed.
These substances are recorded and processed in a so-called hazardous substances register. This register is a centrally managed register or a clear list in which all hazardous substances in a company are presented in a structured manner. It helps to simplify the management of hazardous substances and ensures that the legally prescribed safety and protective measures are complied with.
If we can assist you in creating/adapting a legally compliant hazardous substances register, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Dangerous goods safety advisor: Legal obligations and our support
All companies or operators involved in the transport of dangerous goods by road, rail or waterway (sea and inland waterways) – whether as consignors, shippers, packers or carriers – are legally obliged to appoint at least one dangerous goods safety advisor in writing. This obligation arises from the applicable regulations on the transport of dangerous goods.
Exceptions to the obligation to appoint a dangerous goods safety advisor are regulated in accordance with Section 2 (1) of the Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor Regulation (GbV).
We provide comprehensive support in implementing the Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor Regulation (GbV) with the following services:
- Appointment of an external dangerous goods safety advisor for road and rail
- Advice on suitable measures for compliance with dangerous goods regulations
- Keeping records of monitoring activities
- Preparation of the annual report
- Preparation of reports and research in the event of dangerous goods accidents
- Conducting the prescribed training courses for appointed and responsible persons
Hazardous Substances Ordinance: Expert support for your risk assessment
The Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV) requires employers and operators to systematically record and assess risks in the workplace in order to minimise hazards to employees and the environment. Regular risk assessments are therefore essential to ensure safety when handling hazardous substances.
If the entrepreneur does not have the necessary expertise, they must appoint an ‘expert person’ or a hazardous substances officer to take on these tasks.
The core tasks of the competent person or hazardous substances officer include:
- Conducting risk assessments to analyse and minimise risks
- Workplace measurements to monitor exposure to hazardous substances
- Defining protective measures for the safe handling of hazardous substances
- Creating operating instructions based on the safety data sheets
- Instructing employees in the safe handling of hazardous substances
- Providing support for the proper storage of hazardous substances
- Ensuring the correct labelling of hazardous substances
- Ensuring the safe internal transport of hazardous substances
- Preparation of external company instructions for external employees
- Support with legal changes, e.g. through adjustments in accordance with GefStoffV, REACh, CLP Regulation or AwSV
A thorough risk assessment and competent advice from an expert increases operational safety and ensures compliance with legal requirements.
