Abschnitt 3.1 - 3 Determination of Information and Risk Assessment
3.1 General
A company involved in the manufacture or operation of SF6 switchgear and equipment is responsible for determining and assessing the work-related risks to its employees associated with SF6 gas and its decomposition products as well as for specifying the protective measures required (Art. 5, para. 1 of the German Occupational Safety and Health Act (Arbeitsschutzgesetz, ArbSchG), Art. 7 of the German Ordinance on Hazardous Substances (Gefahrstoffverordnung - GefStoffV)).
According to the CLP Regulation, SF6is not classified. According to Art. 2, para. 1, no. 5 of the German Ordinance on Hazardous Substances (GefStoffV), however, SF6is defined as a hazardous substance, since it has been assigned an occupational exposure limit value.
Information related to risk assessment can also be found in the German TRGS "Risk assessment for activities involving hazardous substances" (Gefährdungsbeurteilung für Tätigkeiten mit Gefahrstoffen, TRGS 400).
Relevant examples for documenting risk assessment according to the German GefStoffV can be found in Appendix 1 of this DGUV Information.
It is recommended that the various activities be considered from different perspectives (refer also to DIN EN 622714/VDE 06714:201406).
Information related to the protective measures can also be found in the German TRGS "Protective measures" (Schutzmaßnahmen, TRGS 500).
Refer also to Appendices 3 and 4 of this DGUV Information for further information regarding protective measures.
When assessing working conditions in accordance with the German Occupational Safety and Health Act, the employer is also responsible for assessing each activity with respect to Art. 10 of the German Maternity Protection Act (Mutterschutzgesetz, MuSchG) to determine whether pregnant or breastfeeding women or their children could be at risk.
The MuSchG stipulates that this requirement must be implemented irrespective of whether women currently perform such activities or whether they may merely perform them in future.
For information regarding risk assessment and planning protective measures, refer to MuSchG and any legal ordinances and technical rules pertaining to maternity protection that may be published in future