Sicherheitsdatenblätter — Eine Anleitung zum sicheren Umgang?

The European Union Guideline 2001/58/EG (safety data sheet guideline) states that the safety data sheet shall enable professional users to take the necessary measures for the protection of health and safety at the workplace as well as of the environment. According to this guideline, the employer should be in the position to determine whether hazardous chemical agents do exist at the workplace, and to assesses the risk to health and safety of workers arising from their use. Can the employer actually rely on the safety data sheet? Have the present data sheets really instructed how to safely handle and manage dangerous compounds? Are the numerously arising occupational illnesses by dangerous substances just a consequence of a careless handling? This question is also important in the discussion on REACH, the new European Chemicals Policy. This paper reveals the strengths and the weaknesses as well as the potential of manufacturer information.