Employees in companies of all sectors and sizes frequently handle hazardous substances, including using, holding and storing them. The new TRGS 510 "Storage of hazardous substances in portable containers" now also expressly applies to the holding of hazardous substances in larger quantities, i.e. if this is done in quantities that exceed the daily or shift requirements. Employers must determine and implement current requirements.
The central regulation for activities involving hazardous substances is the Hazardous Substances Ordinance. It lays down key obligations for employers: risk assessment, substitution testing, defining and implementing protective measures, drawing up operating instructions, instructing employees and documentation. The Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances specify the requirements of the Hazardous Substances Ordinance. In addition to TRGS 600 "Substitution", TRGS 510 has now also been revised.
Since February 2021, the new TRGS 510 has applied to the storage of hazardous substances in portable containers such as canisters, drums or pressurized containers for gases. The technical rule was revised with the aim of making the wording as clear and simple as possible. The comments made by users to the Committee for Hazardous Substances (AGS) were also taken into account.
