1. Created by
IFA Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (DGUV) and Cosanta BV
2. Description
GESTIS-Stoffenmanager® is the German basic version of Stoffenmanager®, which has been made available for companies free of charge by the DGUV and the IFA since 2011. Stoffenmanager® is the property of the Dutch company Cosanta BV and offers paid licences and extra modules. Both tools are practical aids for modern online hazardous substance management.
Both tools are based on exposure models with which the exposure to hazardous substances at the workplace can be modelled in mg/m³ (according to TRGS 402). The two tools can be used in the field of processing and handling liquid hazardous substances, for estimating the inhalable dust fraction when handling powders and granulates, and when processing wood and stone. The underlying exposure models have been scientifically calibrated and validated with thousands of measurements.
In addition to modelling exposure, GESTIS-/Stoffenmanager® also supports companies in prioritising substance-related risks and selecting effective control strategies. The basis for the quantification and prioritisation of substance-related risks are the to be examined safety data sheets of the hazardous substances. Performed risk assessments and control measures are presented to the user in a clear directory.
In addition, Stoffenmanager® facilitates the transparent communication of risk assessments and operating instructions for managers, safety officers and employees. With the SHARE module, which has to be purchased additionally, operating instructions and safety data sheets can be communicated to employees via URL and information labels can be printed - all in the spirit of comprehensive digital hazardous substance management.
Stoffenmanager® is nationally (TRGS 400) and internationally accepted by the authorities and is included in the EU chemical legislation (REACH R.14 Guidance) and in the EU-OSHA OSH WIKI.
Further information on the intended use, the scientific basis as well as the scope of application of Stoffenmanager® are compiled on GESTIS-Stoffenmanager® and on www.stoffenmanager.com under About Stoffenmanager®
3. Validation
The quantification of the inhalation exposure of hazardous substances is carried out by the Stoffenmanager® exposure models and algorithms. The usability and validity of the exposure models and algorithms have been investigated in various studies using exposure measurements. By now, the validation of the tool is based on almost 7000 measurements. Thus, Stoffenmanager® offers a good and sufficient conservative exposure estimation.
The various studies on the validation of Stoffenmanager® can be found on the Stoffenmanager® website. About Stoffenmanager®
4. Applicability
With the GESTIS-/Stoffenmanager® a complete hazardous substance list can be compiled according to GefStoffV § 6, a qualitative prioritisation (as a traffic light system) can be carried out and the inhalable exposure to chemicals at the workplace can be modelled in mg/m3 (as required by TRGS 402). Beside the exposure assessment, Stoffenmager® can be used for the dermal risk assessment and the registration of CMR-Products inside the company.
Also, Stoffenmanager® can be used to create operating instructions (according to TRGS 555). It is even possible to distribute them digitally to employees, own customers etc. via a URL link using the fee-based SHARE module. The most important advantage of the Stoffenmanager® is that it is relatively easy to use and is applied online as a web based tool.
5. User friendliness
Stoffenmanager® is easy to use and is continuously developed and updated by Cosanta BV in cooperation with the IFA of the DGUV and the International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB). The IFA of the DGUV and Cosanta BV offer various training courses and online training in German and English. They recommend these courses in order to be able to adequately interpret the results of the exposure assessment in particular.
6. Restrictions
The information from safety data sheets (SDS) of the used products is needed to identify the hazards. The exposure assessment functions in Stoffenmanager® are therefore not suitable for substances or products for which no safety data sheet is available. Stoffenmanager® is also not suitable for products for which no H-phrases are known or available (e.g. several pesticides or pharmaceutical products). If you nevertheless wish to use Stoffenmanager® for such substances, it is recommended that you determine the relevant H-phrases beforehand with the help of a toxicologist.
For activities involving compaction or crushing of solid bodies (by mechanical impact), a validation for stone and wood processing is available. Stoffenmanager® cannot be used to estimate the exposure to fibres, gases or substances released into the air during open flame work (e.g. welding, soldering) or diesel engine emissions. Under About Stoffenmanager®, a graphic shows the current scope of application of the Stoffenmanager®.
7. Availability
Users can open a free user account on the GESTIS-Stoffenmanager® website and use the online tool free of charge for up to 35 products and 35 risk assessments. Via Stoffenmanager® various paid license forms and add-on modules (such as SHARE).
8. Links
GESTIS-Stoffenmanager® and Stoffenmanager®
Information (in German and English) about license forms and modules via info@cosanta.nl