Glossary · Operator documentation
Operating instructions for hazardous substances (Gefahrstoff-Betriebsanweisung)
Also known as: Hazmat operating instructions, Gefahrstoff-Betriebsanweisung
German: Gefahrstoff-Betriebsanweisung
In German occupational safety law, operating instructions for hazardous substances (Gefahrstoff-Betriebsanweisung) are the employer's binding written instructions and rules of conduct for employees, related to a workplace, an activity and a substance, that § 14 GefStoffV requires on the basis of the risk assessment and TRGS 555 structures.
- Compliance
- Technical documentation
- German source term
In one sentence
A Gefahrstoff-Betriebsanweisung is the employer's binding, workplace-, activity- and substance-related instruction under § 14 GefStoffV and TRGS 555.
Example
A paint shop issues a group instruction for its solvent-based coatings: working area and activity, the substances, hazards to people and the environment, ventilation and glove rules, behavior in case of a spill or fire, first aid and disposal of rags.
How it applies
- Legal minimum: § 14(1) GefStoffV requires a written Betriebsanweisung that reflects the risk assessment under § 6 GefStoffV and contains at least information on the hazardous substances at the workplace, precautions and protective measures — hygiene, preventing exposure, wearing and using personal protective equipment — and measures for operational disruptions, accidents and emergencies. It is updated whenever working conditions change significantly, and employees are instructed orally on its basis.
- Structure: TRGS 555 describes it as workplace-, activity- and substance-related binding written instructions and rules of conduct of the employer and lists seven content blocks: working area, workplace and activity; hazardous substances (designation); hazards to people and the environment; protective measures and rules of conduct; behavior in case of danger; first aid; proper disposal. It also applies to activities in which substances are only formed or released, such as welding or wood processing.
- Group instructions: Where many substances with similar hazards and comparable protective measures are used, TRGS 555 allows group or collective instructions instead of one per substance. Templates and automatically generated instructions must be adapted to the company.
- Safety data sheet: The safety data sheet is the main input; TRGS 555 asks the employer to check it for incomplete, contradictory or incorrect information before taking content over.
- Technical documentation: Manufacturers of machines that process hazardous substances supply information for use; the Gefahrstoff-Betriebsanweisung stays the employer's document for the actual workplace.
Comparable duties are not translations
The CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 governs the classification, labeling and packaging of substances and mixtures; it imposes no duty to write workplace instructions. In the USA, the written hazard communication program under 29 CFR 1910.1200(e) is a comparable employer duty, but it is a site-wide program with a chemical inventory and training methods, not a translation of the Gefahrstoff-Betriebsanweisung.