Hazardous substances in practice

In recent years, the new labelling of hazardous substances by GHS (Globally Harmonized System) in particular gave rise to discussion in the industry. "But we don't always want to talk about GHS," said Matthias Mettke, dangerous goods and hazardous substances expert at Swiss TS Technical Services AG, as he opened the 3rd Hazardous Substances Day Switzerland on 9 October at the Umwelt Arena in Spreitenbach. "Today we are talking about more practical topics. »

First aid for chemical accidents

For example, about accidents and emergencies involving hazardous substances. Dr. Christine Rauber-Lüthy, Head Physician at the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre - also known as Tox - talked about the many years of experience she and her colleagues have gathered during consultations on the phone. The solutions are not always as close as they would like - because important information about the substances or quantities that lead to an emergency is often missing. "Most calls, about a third, are the result of spills of chemicals into ordinary drinking bottles," Rauber- Lüthy pointed out. "Such bottles are unfortunately found far too often, and they are often even located where no hazardous substances but actually drinks would be expected."

The number of inquiries to the Tox regarding accidents at work has increased in the last three years. This worries the doctor, especially because the causes are hardly known. She is also concerned about the many unknown toxins she deals with in the process. "Typically, an employee inhales, drinks or spills an

Accidents are on the increase

substance that he does not even know exactly what it was. In companies, that's a concern. People should already know what they are working with." She stressed the importance of safety data sheets (SDS). "The best case scenario is that the MSDS is faxed to us at the same time as the call. These MSDS vary greatly in quality, but the ingredients are definitely correct and that gets us further. " That's why the MSDS always belongs near the corresponding hazardous substance and workplace. If you can't find an MSDS, the advisors can help you with information on odour, colour, consistency, pH or any hazard symbols. Six questions are central: Who had the accident, what happened, how did it happen, how much of the substance, when did it happen, and what other factors, such as a pre-existing health condition, are there to consider?

Situation analysis: Hazardous substances in the company

In order to be able to correctly determine the correct handling of hazardous substances and the appropriate measures, a situation analysis is required. Conference chair Matthias Mettke then took up this topic and, like the previous speaker, emphasized how important and indispensable the safety data sheets are in this context. "It is true that the manufacturer has to provide the MSDS and in future, according to the new GHS system, also send them to the existing users. But many manufacturers do not even know their users directly. So in practice, this is likely to be rather difficult and the companies themselves are required to check the SDSs and take care of new versions."

An analysis of compliance with the various regulations should be carried out regularly in a company. It helps to comply with the partially required self-monitoring. Mettke drew up a simply structured procedure: "At the beginning of an analysis, the objectives are described. The aim here is to meet the legal requirements of the Environmental Protection Act, the Water Protection Act, the Chemicals Act as well as the EKAS guidelines and the fire protection guidelines and to minimize the risk in the company. A central point here is to reduce the quantities of hazardous substances or, if possible, to replace them completely. Products that are no longer needed should be disposed of. This not only reduces the risk, but also the costs for the storage space and its maintenance." Matthias Mettke also pointed out frequently encountered problems - for example, internal labeling or the storage of hazardous substances - and presented suitable solutions.

Mettke recommends inviting those responsible, preparing checklists and then dividing the analysis into an administrative area, a work or production area and a storage area. A simple protocol is then suitable for evaluating the situation analysis, which provides information about the date, participants, photos of the defects and their description, as well as measures and responsibilities.

Use of unpressurized hazardous material tanks

One result of such a situation analysis may be that hazardous substances could pollute the environment outside the company premises and that appropriate measures are therefore necessary. For example, in the area of water protection. According to the Water Protection Act, liquids hazardous to water must be stored appropriately. The "polluter pays" principle applies," said Markus Staub, mechanical engineer FH, who works as an expert for tank installations for the Swiss Association for Technical Inspections (SVTI).

Polluter pays principle with major consequences

and implements the KVU enforcement directive. "Anyone who causes measures to be taken under the Water Protection Act bears the costs. And these quickly run into six figures. That can threaten the existence of companies." Staub recommended three pillars for efficient protection: safe storage, easy detection and safe containment. Especially around storage, many different questions arise. For example, the market offers many non-pressurized hazardous material tanks. But beware: various products require inspection and certification of water protection suitability by an accredited testing body such as the SVTI. It checks various parameters and then issues a building permit.

Effective explosion protection

"Actually, we all have to do explosion protection at a very early stage ", said Axel Schefer, Senior Consultant and Project Manager at Swissi AG. "If flammable liquids or gases are produced or stored and gases or mists are produced in the process, the risk is of course correspondingly high - also with flammable dust or if solid flammable materials are processed and dust is produced in the process. An example: aluminium burns badly. Aluminum dust, however, is highly explosive."

Schefer showed which companies with explosion hazards have to take which measures and recommended that they do so. "Anyone who can argue that they have taken care of the issue in the event of a claim is in a good position. Otherwise, it can have quite dire consequences for a business. " In an interactive way, Schefer dealt with different situations with the plenum and made a classification with them into the Ex zones for gases and vapours as well as for dusts - and pointed out typical mistakes and stumbling blocks in this assessment.

The 4th Hazardous Substances Day Switzerland - again an excellent training for hazardous substances experts - will take place on 12 November 2014. (www.gefahrstoff.ch)