Technical rules for hazardous substances – TRGS 900

Behind the abbreviation TRGS stands for the Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances. These rules reflect the current state of the art, scientific findings for activities involving hazardous substances, including their classification and labeling. They are drawn up by the Committee for Hazardous Substances (AGS) and published by the Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS). The Hazardous Substances Ordinance can also be consulted.


Meaning Technical rules for hazardous substances

Technical rules for hazardous substances are always of particular importance when working with harmful or hazardous substances.

In conjunction with the Hazardous Substances Ordinance, they are an important part of occupational health and safety. They serve to maintain the health of the employee and are intended to protect against health hazards.

For this type of measurement of hazardous substances and their compliance at the workplace, our measuring device SG10-2A for personal use or the measuring device PM4-2 for stationary use. If you have any questions about suitable measuring devices and measurements, please contact us.


Contents of TRGS 900

The TRGS 900 in particular provides information about the binding occupational limit value. It used to be known as the “maximum workplace concentration”.

In it the The highest permissible concentration of a (harmful) substance at the workplace. Compliance with the occupational limit value is intended to protect employees from permanent exposure to harmful substances.


Calculating the concentration of pollutants at the workplace

The duration of exposure is relevant for determining the exposure to pollutants at the workplace. The average concentration during a working day (8h for five days/week) is determined.
The molar volume 24.1L required for the calculation is specified using standardized parameters: Temperature 20°Celsius and 101.3 kPa. The following formula for calculating the substance concentration is derived from this:

C (ml/m³) = molar volume in L ÷ molar mass in g × C (mg/m³)

With the help of these defined conditions, the measurements of harmful substances are comparable and meaningful.


The general dust limit value (ASGW)

Another important component of the TRSG 900 is the general dust limit value (ASGW), which provides information on dust exposure at the workplace.

If contact with dust occurs during work processes, specific measures must be observed.

It is also important to distinguish between A-dust and E-dust. Information on the distinction can be found here.

This limit value is also based on an exposure duration of 8 hours over 5 days per week. The current dust limit value is 1.25mg/m³ for A-dust and 10mg/m³ for E-dust.
Checking compliance with these values is part of the occupational health and safety organization. A dust measurement can be carried out at the workplace for this purpose.

Sources:
[1]: https://www.baua.de/DE/Angebote/Rechtstexte-und-Technische-Regeln/Regelwerk/TRGS/pdf/TRGS-900.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=13
[2]: https://www.dguv.de/medien/ifa/de/fac/arbeitsplatzgrenzwerte/aktuelles/2018-neue-agw-januar.pdf
[3]: https://www.dguv.de/medien/ifa/de/pub/grl/pdf/2009_058.pdf
[4]: https://www.baua.de/DE/Angebote/Rechtstexte-und-Technische-Regeln/Regelwerk/TRGS/TRGS.html
[5]: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gefstoffv_2010/