Start by choosing the less dangerous

02-03-2020

Before using a chemical, you must first try to find out if there is less dangerous alternative. You need to carry out an overall assessment, so that you both look at the product’s danger and evaluate factors which influence the exposure, among these are quantity, the duration, temperature, work method etc.

The criteria for a product to be included in the Chemical Database are that it is registered by a shipping company, and that it complies with both EU and Danish chemical legislation. But it is not necessarily the most work environment friendly products that are registered in the database.
To get started with replacing the most dangerous products, we have in the Chemical Database and on the online platform @SEA-@SHORE marked the most dangerous with a warning triangle for substitution.

The product contains cancer-causing (or mutagenic) substances comprised by the Danish Maritime Authority’s cancer list (normally above 0,1% substance in product). The list does not comprise reproduction damaging substances.
The product is classified as toxic when inhaled and/or by contact with skin.
The product contains environmentally dangerous substances (where there is a prohibition on land for application of halon, lead …)
The product contains substances on EU’s candidate list.

Exception: A product will not be marked with a warning triangle if it cannot be replaced (e.g. Chloride test kit, where there has been given a general exemption from the Danish Maritime Authority).

We have stated with a product number, where the supplier has a less dangerous substitute product.

To the supplier:

Avoid using substances which are marked in the Chemical Database with a warning triangle for substitution. Give the vessel/shipping company a more work environment-friendly alternative. If you give us the information about a more environment friendly, we will in the database very much like to refer to this.

To the shipping company:

Help your vessels choose the less dangerous products. Have a policy with which criteria you have for your choice of products. Follow the policy. This is done by using as few products with the warning triangle as possible. Sort out continuously the products on your white list, especially those with the warning triangle.

To the Safety Organisation aboard:

Ask the shipping company or find out yourself if it is possible to use a less dangerous product. If you cannot substitute a product that has a warning triangle for substitution, then you must be aware that there are special rules that apply for work with the product, e.g. work in closed facilities or requirement to report use of the product.