The Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR) still contain more than 250 different definitions despite many deletions as a result of the amendment in March of this year. Many of them are new.
In March 2022, a total of 16 health and safety guidelines were revised. Some more, some less. All in all, a company now has to familiarize itself with 51 changes to terms in the ASR. Of these, 17 are completely new directives, while only eleven have been deleted. The least changes, i.e. revisions, were made in the area of definitions, where only a fraction were changed. ASR:
- A1.3, Safety and health protection labeling
- A1.5, Floors
- A1.8, Traffic routes
- A2.1, Falling, falling objects, danger zones
- A2.3, Escape routes and emergency exits
- A3.5, room temperature.
In addition, some ARS have been deleted, for example ASR A3.4/7, Safety lighting. Although this all reduces the number of definitions, it is unfortunately the case that a familiar buzzword can now conceal a completely new definition than was the case before the reform. For example, the term "secured space" means something completely different today than it did in February 2022. In particular, the term is not only defined differently today, but much more extensively than before. As a result, the term has taken on a completely new meaning. For those responsible in the company, this means that they now have to deal intensively with the conceptual changes in order to stay on the safe side.
Experts criticize this. They also mention other technical shortcomings in the change process. These include, above all, the handling of the changes. It was noted earlier that the definition of the term "traffic routes" (A1.8) remained almost the same, with minor changes. Nevertheless, the same content is reprinted in the regulations, which means that the few changes are completely lost. This suggests something new where there is actually nothing new.
For the person responsible for implementing and complying with the ASR in a company, it is therefore reassuring to know that no binding legal obligation arises from the workplace legislation. Every company is free to find other solutions. However, this other solution must achieve the same or similar effects for the health and safety of employees.
|
Definition of terms |
ASR |
Subitem |
Amendment |
|
|
A |
Workplace on construction sites |
A2.1 |
3,12 |
New term |
|
Externally illuminated safety sign |
A2.3 |
3,14 |
New term |
|
|
Automatic doors and gates |
A2.3 |
3,12 |
New term |
|
|
B |
Building staircase |
A1.8 |
3,1 |
Deleted |
|
Illuminance |
A3.4/7 A2.3 |
3,7 |
Deleted |
|
|
Glare |
A2.3 |
3,23 |
Addition to term A2.3/3,12 |
|
|
D |
Dynamic safety system |
A3.4/7 |
3,4 |
Deleted |
|
E |
Electrically operated safety system |
A3.4/7 |
3,4 |
Deleted |
|
Electrically operated optical safety system |
A2.3 |
3,2 |
Successor to A3.4/7, 3.4 |
|
|
Increased fire hazard |
A2.3 |
3,26 |
Same as A2.2, 3.3 |
|
|
Evacuation |
A2.3 |
3,4 |
New term |
|
|
F |
Color rendering |
A2.4/7 |
3,1 |
Coated |
|
Escape/rescue plan |
A2.3 |
3,3 |
New term |
|
|
Escape route |
A2.3 |
3,1 |
Absolutely redefined |
|
|
Escape route length |
A2.3 |
3,2 |
Painted |
|
|
Free |
A2.3 |
3,5 |
New term |
|
|
Definition |
ASR |
Subitem |
Amendment |
|
|
G |
Aisles to operating facilities |
A1.8 |
3,2 |
New term |
|
Aisles to occasionally used operating facilities |
A1.8 |
3,2 |
Deleted and inserted under A1.2/3.4 |
|
|
Aisles for maintenance |
A1.8 |
3,3 |
New term |
|
|
Dangerous inclined position |
A1.5 |
3.4 new 3.6 old |
Extended definition by A1.8 |
|
|
Secured space |
A2.3 |
3.6 new 3.4 old |
Comprehensively redefined |
|
|
Secured area |
A2.3 |
3.7 new 3.5 old |
Term much broader |
|
|
Slip-promoting material |
A1.5 |
3,3 |
New term |
|
|
H |
Main escape route |
A2.3 |
3,1 |
New term, replaces "First escape route" |
|
Auxiliary stairs |
A1.8 |
3,9 |
Old term, new definition |
|
|
I |
Internally illuminated safety sign |
A2.3 |
3,16 |
New term |
|
K |
Climate sum measure |
A3.5 |
3,3 |
Humidity instead of air humidity |
|
Power-operated doors and gates |
A2.3 |
3,11 |
Adopted identically from A1.7/3.8 |
|
|
L |
Photoluminescent safety system |
A3.4/7 |
3,5 |
Deleted |
|
Photoluminescent optical safety system |
A2.3 |
3,19 |
New term |
|
|
Photoluminescent safety sign |
A1.7 A2.3 |
3,17 3,15 |
New definition like A1.7 and A2.3 |
|
|
Walkways |
A1.8 |
3,29 |
Expanded term, redefined |
|
|
Guide marking |
A3.4/7 |
3,6 |
Deleted |
|
|
Luminance |
A3.4/7 A2.3 A3.4 |
3.8 old 3.22 3.15 |
Redefined and transferred to A2.3-3.22 and A3.4-3.15 |
|
|
Minimum clear width and height |
A1.8 A2.3 |
3,30 3,2 |
New term, also in A1.8 and A2.3 |
|
|
N |
Secondary escape route |
A2.3 |
3,1 - /2 |
New term, formerly "second escape route" |
|
Normal fire hazard |
A2.3 |
3,25 |
Taken from A2.2, 3.2 |
|
|
Emergency exit |
A2.3 |
3.6 old 3.18 new |
Slightly redefined |
|
|
Emergency exit |
A2.3 |
3.6 old 3.10 new |
Absolutely redefined |
|
|
O |
Optical safety system |
A3.4/7 A2.3 |
3.2 old 3.18 new |
Absolutely redefined, moves from A3.4/7 to A2.3 |
|
S |
Collection point |
A2.3 |
3,13 |
New term |
|
Safety lighting |
A3.4/7 A2.3 A3.4 |
3.3 old 3.17 new 3.14 new |
Slightly redefined |
|
|
Tripping hazards |
A1.5 |
3,5 |
Definition greatly expanded, moved from 3.4 to 3.5 |
|
|
Definition |
ASR |
Subitem |
Change |
|
|
T |
Temporary construction stairs |
A1.8 |
3,1 |
New term, old definition of the former "building staircase" |
|
Stair flight |
A1.8 |
3,8 |
Old term, new definition |
|
|
Sure-footedness |
A1.5 |
3,7 |
Old term, new definition (previously 3.6) |
|
|
Doors in escape routes |
A2.3 |
3,8 |
New term |
|
|
U |
Unevenness |
A1.5 |
3,8 |
Old term, new definition (formerly 3.7) |
|
V |
Displacement space |
A1.5 |
3,1 |
Definition added |
|
Traffic routes |
A1.8 |
3,1 |
Definition added |
|
|
Deepening |
A1.5 |
3,8 A.: 2 |
Comprehensive new definition, from 3.10 |
