Advice for employers: elimination and substitution

European legislation establishes a hierarchy of measures that employers need to take to control the risk to workers from dangerous substances.

Where possible, the use of dangerous substances should be eliminated, by changing the process or product in which the substance is used.

Any avoidable exposure to dangerous substances should be eliminated. Carcinogenic and mutagenic substances have to be replaced as far as technically possible. In some Member States this regulation also applies to substances that can affect reproduction.

Some tips on where to look for substitution:

Regarding hazards caused by the process:

•  open processes, e.g. painting big surfaces,
•  mixing/compounding in open containers/vessels;
•  processes generating dusts, vapours or fumes or dispersing liquids in the air  e.g. welding, spraying paint.
  

If you cannot change the work process, try to eliminate or avoid exposure to substances that:

• increase fire and explosion risks;
• are volatile, e.g., organic solvents;
• are dispersed in the air (aerosols, dust);
• cause acute health risks, e.g., poisons, corrosives and irritants;
• cause chronic health risks, such as allergens, substances toxic for reproduction and others;
• are covered by specific national regulations imposing restrictions of use in the workplace;
• have already caused problems in your enterprise (health problems, accidents or other incidents);
• cause occupational diseases;
• make regular health monitoring (medical examination of workers) necessary;
• can be absorbed through the skin;
• or substances for which the use of personal protective equipment impairing workers (e.g. inhalation protection) is necessary.
  

If elimination is not possible, then the dangerous substance should be substituted for one that is non-hazardous or less hazardous.  Do not forget maintenance procedures and potential hazards due to accidents. A contained substance can present a high risk when it is released due to an accident.