This case study details the ways in which a manufacturer of chemicals and chemical products in Hungary set out to get injuries, events and emissions as close to zero as possible. The company managed to greatly reduce the number of incidents by providing its employees with more practical training. It also implemented a new communication system to ensure that near misses were appropriately reported, with lessons learned incorporated in quarterly training sessions, thus further increasing employees’ practical awareness of good safety and health practice in the workplace.

A manufacturer of perfumes and toiletry preparations in Croatia chose to replace a highly dangerous substance, epoxy resins, with a less harmful alternative. Although the production process already adhered to regulations, the company decided that it was worth changing the process to 3D printing if it would protect its workers’ health. The substitution resulted in a substantially reduced risk of developing, for example, allergic contact dermatitis and occupational asthma, and greatly increased workers’ productivity levels.

This case study of a Romanian project called CONOSCEDE shows how experts from Norway collaborated with the Romanian competent authorities to enable experts on occupational safety and health to better understand and use legislation on chemicals, such as REACH and CLP. Participants needs were assessed and taken into account in developing the training courses. The project used a mixture of e-learning and classroom teaching, which proved successful in increasing participants knowledge and understanding of the legislation and its application.

The Hungarian pesticide manufacturing company on which this case study is based identified that effective equipment maintenance is a key component of safe plant operation. A new, more efficient system for maintenance management, involving regular equipment monitoring and the use of customised software to record and track faults and repairs, has been implemented. Regular audits and bonuses for accurately reporting non-compliance have been used as incentives among employees and to raise awareness of the importance of effective maintenance.