Verein Deutscher Ingenieure

Workplace air - Reduction of exposure to air pollutants - Processing and organisation measures
 N VDI 2262 BLATT 2

Annotation

This guideline provides the employer with examples, comments and suggestions on ways of complying with statutory provisions relating to occupational health and safety procedures in connection with the release of air pollutants.

The statutory regulations (see Section 2) establish general principles that govern the employer's responsibility for occupational health and safety. In Germany, the legal basis for these is the Industrial Safety Act (ArbSchG). If the activities involve the use of hazardous substances, the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV) must also be observed; when using technical manufacturing equipment, also the Industrial Safety Ordinance (BetrSichV). In addition, the Product Safety Act (ProdSG) applies to technical work equipment.

A clearly structured and documented organisation (see Section 3) helps to ensure undisrupted and controllable production processes. All potential disruptions that create a risk must be identified and eliminated in a timely manner. The organisational parameters include quality assurance and management, the purchasing of materials and ingredients, the implementation of industrial safety objectives and staff training. Only in this way production can proceed safely from an organisational perspective.

Furthermore, hazards may be created by released substances (see Section 4). Therefore, the generation and emission of air pollutants during the production process, should be prevented or minimised from the outset through the procedures described in this guideline.

The concentration of hazardous substances in the air at the workplace can be reduced by:

- preventing emissions