The following are considered dangerous substances;
(a) Explosive substances, whether they are explosives as such, or any
other substance that may explode under certain circumstances, such as
combination with other materials, heat, shock, etc.;
(b) Easily flammable substances or precautions, as well as any
a substance that promotes the spread of fire;
(c) Toxic, harmful, or corrosive substances, whatever the route of entry
into the body (respiratory, digestive, transcutaneous);
(d) Substances that emit ionizing radiation, whether they are natural or
artificial radioactive compounds.
In addition to the specific measures concerning each category of
substances, appropriate measures must be taken in all workplaces
where dangerous substances are produced, handled, used, stored or
transported, particularly about;
(a) The design of the premises;
(b) The choice of construction materials
(c) Lighting;
(d) Temperature and humidity levels;
(e) Ventilation.
Workers are assigned to activities that bring them into contact with these
substances must undergo appropriate medical examinations on hiring
and monitoring.
Women and children under 18 years of age may not be assigned to
these activities without authorization from the company doctor, in
accordance with the relevant regulations.
Adequate measures must be taken to reduce to a minimum the
exposure of workers, in particular by collective protection means
tending to prevent the diffusion and accumulation of the risk in the
the atmosphere of the workplaces, work in humidity, work in enclosures,
capture at the source, neutralization…) or by individual production
means when the collective protection means are insufficient.
In any event, working hours must be adjusted to reduce exposure time.
When hazardous substances can be replaced by innocuous or less
hazardous substances, the latter must be used in preference to the
former, even if their use proves to be more costly.
In all cases where these activities constitute a serious threat to the
health or life of the personnel, alarm devices must be put in place to
signal the appearance of the danger and allow the evacuation of the
premises.
Signs that are visible and legible are posted in appropriate places by the
employer to warn workers of the dangers inherent in the handling of
these substances used.
Any packaging or container containing a hazardous substance must
bear a label that clearly and indelibly indicates the name of the
product, its composition, the hazard symbol, the safety measures
relating to its use and those to be taken in the event of an accident or
any other hazard.
The tanks, vats, and containers containing the dangerous substances must
be equipped with an appropriate closing system offering all guarantees
of hygiene and safety.
The conditioning, the transport, the storage, the transfer must be
carried out under the best conditions of hygiene and safety.
The premises where dangerous substances are stored must be isolated
from the workplace. Their access is regulated.
Only the quantity of the substance that can be used during the day will
be stored in the work premises.
The maintenance, repair, and cleaning of tanks, reservoirs, containers,
pipelines and conduits shall be entrusted to the competent authorities,
with a permit issued for this purpose by the employer.
To avoid the pollution of the soil, water, and air, waste and
residues of any kind from dangerous substances are first treated before
their evacuation.
Workers are assigned to activities that bring them into contact with
hazardous substances must be fully informed of the risks that they
run, and of the measures of hygiene and safety measures to be taken.