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Essential Resources for Workplace Safety & Occupational Exposure Limits
HYGINIST
Workplace Exposure Assessment Software
HYGINIST is a specialized software package designed to assist in the planning and evaluation of workplace exposure measurements for (bio)chemical substances. For comprehensive product details, please refer to the English or Dutch product information. To download the latest version of HYGINIST, visit their website.
Gezondheidsraad
Advisory Workplace Limit Values
The Gezondheidsraad (Health Council of the Netherlands) publishes advisory limit values for substances in the workplace atmosphere. These recommendations are based on health considerations alone, without factoring in technical or economic feasibility. The advisory reports can be accessed on the Gezondheidsraad website.
Health Council
Advisory Limit Values
SER
Occupational Exposure & Safety Guidelines
The Subcommittee on Limit Values for Substances in the Workplace (GSW, formerly known as the “Subcommittee MAC”) operates under the Social and Economic Council (SER). Its work program, as well as a comprehensive database of occupational exposure limits, including legal and publicly available limit values from various countries, can be found on the SER website.
SER Guideline
Working Safely with Hazardous Substances
- Addressing the regulatory gap following the abolition of 850 statutory and administrative MAC values.
- Providing companies with access to established good management practices developed by industry professionals and trade associations.
For more information, visit official wbsit
NVvA
Dutch Association for Occupational Hygiene
For insights into occupational hygiene practices in the Netherlands, please visit the website of the Dutch Association for Occupational Hygiene (NVvA).
Stoffenmanager
Exposure Assessment Tool
Stoffenmanager is a widely recognized model for assessing workplace exposure to hazardous substances. This tool, developed in the Netherlands, is also recommended within the European REACH Guidance. For further details and access to the model, visit Stoffenmanager.
Visit additional Health and Safety links below.
Inspectie SZW (Netherlands Labour Authority)
The Inspectie SZW is the new name for the Labour Inspectorate. It works towards fair, healthy, and safe working conditions while ensuring financial security for all. The authority adopts a targeted approach based on risk and environmental analysis. Supervision and enforcement are applied where the most persistent issues exist and where intervention has the greatest impact. For employers and employees who comply with regulations, the authority intervenes only when necessary.
- Working conditions
- Labour relations
- Product safety
- Reintegration and benefits
- Supervision and enforcement
For more information, visit official wbsit
Inspectie SZW: Self-Inspection Tool
The Inspectie SZW has developed the Self-Inspection Tool to help employers and employees assess and improve occupational health and safety policies.
This online self-assessment provides insight into workplace safety and health compliance. If improvements are needed, the tool offers guidance on necessary measures. It also highlights key areas that the Inspectie SZW inspects, helping employers ensure they meet legal requirements.
The tool includes online applications for the following topics:
- Hazardous substances
- Transport & logistics
- Aggression & violence
- Accident prevention
- Virtual garage
For more information, visit official wbsit
SKINPERM
Skin exposure to chemicals is a significant factor in workplace safety. Toxicologist Wil ten Berge (DSM) offers the SKINPERM freeware tool, which estimates the permeability of gases, vapors, and liquids through the skin based on physicochemical parameters.
With additional details on clothing, contaminated surfaces, etc., SKINPERM can estimate the potential absorption of substances into the body. This tool complements NEN 689, which primarily focuses on workplace air quality.
SKINPERM estimates exposure when:
- A substance is present as a gas or vapor in the workplace atmosphere.
A liquid or solution comes into contact with the skin.
Note: SKINPERM does not estimate exposure to solid substances or aerosols.
For more information, visit official wbsit
U.S. Occupational Exposure Limits
The official occupational exposure limits set by the U.S. federal government can be found at:
ACGIH TLVs and BEIs – Used when no legal exposure limits exist in certain countries.
Unlike OSHA and ACGIH, which sometimes consider economic and technical feasibility, NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs) are purely based on health criteria. These can be found using the NIOSHTIC advanced search:
Search for “recommended standard” under “title” at NIOSHTIC advanced search and refine with the desired substance name.