Good Practices

Dust in the workplace is often viewed as a painful reality, whether it is the dust in the office, the dust in the quarry, in…

This document describes the best available techniques for surface treatment of metals and plastics. Substitution possibilities for EDTA, PFOS, zinc cyanide, copper cyanide and hexavalent…

This document describes how a large portion of the halocarbons used and manufactured in Sweden were phased out during the late 1980´s and early 1990´s.…

The substitution of methyl chloroform (1,1,1 trichloroethane) by isopropanol and heptane for spot-washing has been carried out by a textile company, as part of a…

The company produces metal parts by high precision cutting. Manufacturing includes the use of cutting fluids as coolants and lubricants that facilitate the process and…

Formaldehyde is an organic compound used as a tissue fixative for microscopy and histology. In this case study, formaldehyde was substituted by a product containing:…

A printing vocational training facility used trichloroethylene for the cleaning and washing of printing rolls. Trichloroethylene is a known carcinogen and neurotoxicant. Several options were…

A hospital laundry establishment located in Madrid dry-cleaned sheets, towels, working clothes, etc. for several healthcare facilities. Perchlorethylene was used only to remove persistent stains.…

Trichloroethylene is used in quality control laboratories to determine the amount of bitumen in asphalt mixtures. Bitumen is a hazardous substance whose elimination or substitution…

In this study 1-methyl-3-octyloxymethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate proved to be a very good tissue fixative. Compared to fixation with formalin, it resulted in comparable quality of preparations.…

A company specialized in bus bodyworks substituted a finishing compound based on epoxy resins. The introduced change was the use of a water-based compound of…

Lithium ion batteries are an alternative to those based on nickel and cadmium (NiCd). Medical equipment, like portable defibrillators, is still allowed by EU legislation…

A cooperative cleaning company decided to try to substitute all products containing hazardous chemicals by safer alternatives. A deodorizing product used in bathroom cleaning that…

A study was carried out within the scope of a project carried out by CCOO for the prevention of toxic hazards for reproduction, pregnancy and…

In Denmark, the certification of "Green hairdresser's shop" restricts the use of hazardous chemicals, especially hair dyes. The transition to a "Green hairdresser's shop" made…

A study had the aim to determine the suitability of biocides used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry to preserve biological specimens. The biocide was…

A study aimed to use a systematic approach to evaluate the biomolecular status of a number of clinical tissue specimens processed through a non-formalin fixation…

Adhesives used in the manufacture of wood particle boards (chipboard) contain, among other hazardous chemicals, formaldehyde (carcinogen and sensitizer). Employees are exposed to high concentrations…

A manufacturer of accumulators for sanitation of water used vitrification furnaces covered with fireproof ceramic fibres of aluminosilicate. These fibres are carcinogen and workers, by…

Chromium trioxide is used to stop bleeding, especially in heavy nosebleeds in a process known as cauterization. It was found that silver nitrate in the…

Several natural materials are used as alternatives to cement in vertical sidings. Commercial cement may contain hazardous substances as crystalline silica dust (carcinogen and endocrine…

Macroinvertebrate bioindicators are used in evaluating the biological quality of water. Traditionally, the biological material of the samples is preserved using formaldehyde, which is both…

Formaldehyde is a common preservative but is a carcinogen and a skin sensitizer. An alternative product made of sodium chloride and compounds extracted from berries…

The restoration of a several centuries old manor called for materials matching the historic ambiance. Casein paints were used for interior wall decoration. When restoring…

The restoration of well-known historic monuments in Prague included façade cleaning using dry ice blasting. Technical experts, architects and historians were pleased with the results…

Many of the pleasure boats in the archipelago of the Swedish west coast have two-stroke engines with bad combustion, resulting in emissions of polycyclic aromatic…

Sulfochromatic mixtures may cause cancer by inhalation, is very toxic to aquatic life, is very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects and may…

Urea-formol adhesives are largely used in the wood products industries. Construction materials are the main source of formaldehyde emissions in the indoor environment. Therefore, it…

By introduction of new production equipment, the pipe producing company Logstor, have been able to phase out dimethylformamide (DMF) as a cleaning solvent. Instead, most…

In surface treatment in the wood and furniture industry acid-cured primer and top-coating can be substituted with a water based primer and an UV-cured top…

In surface treatment of panels for walls and ceilings (MDF-plates), an acid-cured primer and top-coating can be substituted with a water-based primer and an UV-cured…

In surface treatment of plywood, an acid-cured primer and top-by 94% and reduces the amount and number of classified ingredients with carcinogenic and reprotoxic effects.…

Filter packs made from crushed recycled glass can replace filters made of crystalline silica containing materials such as sand or zeolites. The producer recommends the…

Lead and chromate are known for their hazards and efforts are made to eliminate them from various applications where they have been used on a…

An alternative method for the analysis of formaldehyde in commercial products replaces concentrated sulfuric acid by magnesium sulfate. The method was applied in a laboratory…

The emerging solvent Parachlorobenzotrifluoride, is increasingly being used as a substitute for xylene. Since it is not considered to be an ozone depleting compound, it…

Sterisol is a Swedish company manufacturing skin care products. By manufacturing the products in a very clean environment and then using a special package that…

Using enzymatic processes instead of chemical processes may result in substitution of hazardous substances. Fewer steps during synthesis and low solvent use are the major…

Floor cleaning in hospitals is often done using cleaning agents containing disinfectants such as quaternary ammonium chlorides, formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde. Microfiber cleaning demonstrates a superior…

Coating systems used for military aircraft generally consist of a hexavalent chromium conversion coating in direct contact with the metallic substrate, followed by a strontium…

Cobalt organic salts are very good driers for paints but increasing concern about the hazard of cobalt compounds is arising, in general, made producers look…

In a shoe manufacturing company located in the region of La Rioja, Spain two solvents were used for the tanning of leather for shoe manufacturing.…

Cosmetic formulations are prone to contamination due to their high water content, pH and temperature range and ingredients used, which can act as nutrients. In…

Upon testing effluents of a Chinese textile dyeing mill, traces of chlorophenols and chlorobenzenes were detected by Primark. In collaboration with the mill and the…

Chromium trioxide was placed on the REACH Authorisation List in 2013 and its use has needed a specific authorisation in the EU since 2017. Instead…

Chromium trioxide was placed on the REACH Authorisation List in 2013 and its use has needed a specific authorisation in the EU since 2017. Instead…

Chromic acid was added to the REACH authorisation list in 2013 and its use has required authorisation in the EU since 2017. As a technical…

Chromic acid was added to the REACH authorisation list in 2013 and its use requires authorisation in the EU since 2017. Extreme high-speed laser material…

Offering a wide range of metalworking services, a company used grinding equipment, which required the use of a lubricating-cooling emulsion. The emulsion was expected to…

The GDA Hazardous Substance Check is a service available to all parties involved in occupational health and safety within a company. Its aim is to…

Approximately 2.000.000 welders work in the EU, according to the European Welders Association. There is a high potential for exposure to hazardous substances associated with…

The objective of this management regime is to provide everyone with guidelines for the safe processing and removal of coatings containing hexavalent chromium. It is…

Dutch employee and employers organisations in construction worked together on the reduction of diesel motor emission (DME). Knowledge centre and consultant Volandis acted as an …

In order to control weeds in grassland, chemical products are used. Unfortunately, these products are not only hazardous to weed, but also to the employees…

Is you workplace affecting your breathing? This quiz is for people who are worried that their workplace might be affecting their breathing or lung health.…

The "Fiches d'Aide au Répérage des Cancérogènes" (FAR) and the "Fiches d'Aide à la Substitution des Cancérogènes" (FAS) have been created by the French Prevention…

The Estonian National Institute for Health Development published this guide about carcinogens in different work environments and work areas. What are possible effects of working…

Workers in the construction industry are exposed to many risks, including exposure to dangerous substances. Many of these dangerous substances derive from new products or…

JSC Grindeks, the Latvian pharmaceutical company on which this case study focuses, found that involving workers in the identification of occupational safety and health problems…

The brochure "Asbesto Plaušelių, Identifikavimo, Nustatymo ir Poveikio Prevencijos" (Identification, Detection and Effect of Asbestos Fiber) provides information and practical recommendations on asbestos: Identification of…

This guidance introduces health risks which are connected with asbestos work. In the guidance, work methods and measures are presented what may minimise or eliminate…

Cancer is the primary cause of death in Québec (Canada) and in the majority of industrialized countries. Carcinogenesis is a complex process, and researchers estimate…

Barlinek S.A. produces domestic and exotic wood flooring products. Roughly 1400 people are employed in this timber company. In 2000, it launched a programme to…

Kiilto OY develops and manufactures adhesives and related products and systems for all kinds of construction, renovation, and industrial purposes and produces cleaning chemicals. Kiilto uses numerous…

Workers in the cleaning sector undertake various activities and perform those in different work environments. How much workers are exposed to chemicals (i.a. Formaldehyde) depends on…

During the years 2018 - 2021, the Romanian Labour Inspection carried out control actions to check how the occupational health and safety requirements regarding the…

In France, at the current rate, more than 40 years will be needed to eradicate asbestos. For example, in 2015: 25,000 operations to remove or…

Goal The goal of this solution was to minimize air pollution for workers at Copenhagen airport in Denmark. Target population and setting The target population…

The trade union confederation of worker commissions in Spain (CCOO) has launched the campaign ‘zero cancer in the workplace’. They also initiated a petition to…

The goal of this solution was to find a non-chemical protection against insects that is acceptable economically as well as environmentally by all stakeholders involved…

To monitor the implementation of rules on carcinogens and to strengthen the knowledge about the risks of these chemical agents, Austrian’s labour inspectorate will conduct…

Intro and problem setting In order to eliminate the risk of the exposure to hazardous substances, substitution of these hazardous chemicals is needed. However, finding…

Case Study: HSE supports small/medium size chemical company’s innovative solution to reduce the risk to workers health. Background Lansdowne Chemicals is a small/medium size specialist…

Introduction and problem setting There is still room for improvement in making the world a cleaner, safer and healthier place, and in protecting people and…

Introduction and problem setting Every year at least 100.000 people die due to exposure to carcinogens. Legislation forces companies to substitute CMR-products, and often companies…

Setting and problem The hazardous substances toluene and nitrogenous NMP are used worldwide at a very large scale as solvents in for example paints, coatings…

EASCR is the European Association for Safe Coatings Removal. EASCR represents the interest of producers of innovative products for safer coatings removal. Up until the…

Stoffenmanager® is a validated web-based instrument intended to support both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large organisations in prioritising and controlling the risks of…

You would like to substitute dangerous substances in your company? How to know about the impact and what aspects require attention? Find out more in…

The European Commission’s Senior Labour Inspectors’ Committee (SLIC) launched its Guidance for National Labour Inspectors on Thursday 27 October 2016 in The Hague, the Netherlands.…

Silica is found in many resources used in construction. In and of itself, that is not a problem, until you wish to drill, mill, saw,…

Guidance for health and safety representatives. In many workplaces dust is a major problem. However dust can be more than just a nuisance – it…

Cancer is not a single disease with a single type of treatment. There are more than 200 different kinds of cancer affecting different parts of…