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Maintenance and dangerous substances – Best practice examples. Klaus Kuhl Kooperationsstelle (Cooperation Centre) Hamburg IFE GmbH, Germany Presentation at the workshop “Maintenance and dangerous substances” during the conference “Maintenance work: do it safely”
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Maintenance and dangerous substances –Best practice examples Klaus Kuhl Kooperationsstelle (Cooperation Centre) Hamburg IFE GmbH, Germany Presentation at the workshop “Maintenance and dangerous substances” during the conference “Maintenance work: do it safely” organised by Belgian Presidency, Commission, Agency Brussels, 25 November 2010
Overview Substitution Databases The CatSub database Examples – substitution of chemicals used in maintenance processes Short evaluation of CatSub Statement
Chemicals used in maintenance work Dirt Cleaning agents, media (solvents, aqueous agents, blasting media including dry ice CO2, ..) Substances in machines, buildings (hydraulic oils, cooling lubricants, brake fluids, gases, …)Substances used for the maintenance/repair work (paint strippers, substances for crack detection, oils, greases, glues, epoxides, paints, gases …) Substances developed during the processes (dust, fumes, DME, vapours, hydrogen from battery charging, …) Finalising the work (waste)
Main factors not to substitute Uncertainty and ‘Never change a running process’ No priority neither at enterprises nor in practical governance Dealing with the current problems is already too laborious No additional problems by an unnecessary innovative approach (existing standards etc.) Uncertainty in risk assessment – Shift of risks Substitutes are less tested in practice Integration in the production chain makes an innovation beyond enterprise borders necessary Technological or economic difficulties Service companies have often hardly any influence in selecting chemicals
SMEs need “ready solutions” Thoroughly tested solutions Application in similar conditions Manageability of technological and quality difficulties Contact persons Cost-benefit analysis
Databases can be of help for SMEs when looking for substitution possibilities Easy accessInternet SearchtoolsSearch possibilities e.g. for chemicals, sectors, … allowing to get to the needed information fast Description ofconditionsSpecifications of conditions of use Contact personsContact to ask further questions
CatSub (www.catsub.eu) • Catalogue of examples of substitution of hazardous chemicals - case stories describing successful substitutions with less hazardous chemicals. • The case stories primarily come from companies, occupational health services and the Danish Working Environment Authority • Responsible:Lone Wibroe, DK • Contact:Lone Wibroe 7
CatSub – cleaningofinjectors Photo: Wikipedia 8
Last slide Thank you for your attention and contributions!
Statement • More clear guidance on how dangerous substances can be avoided or substituted with non- or less dangerous agents is urgently needed especially for the SMEs. • The current offers are no way satisfactory. • Especially the associations and the manufacturers need to do more.