EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES DURING FLOORING WORK - CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE-TRENDS

Extensive investigations were undertaken on construction sites to estimate workers exposure to hazardous substances during flooring work. The measurements were carried out using not only recognised and recommended measuring procedures but also simple measuring methods (short term tubes). All relevant parameters which were likely to have an effect on the measuring result were carefully registered. As a more general result the investigations showed that the degree of pollutant exposure is mainly determined by the product used. The classification of products as a function of the nature and quantity of solvents they contain (GISCODE) helps make prospective estimations of the possible pollutant concentration in the workplace atmosphere. By carefully choosing the right products, it is in most cases possible to ensure that the limit values applying to workplaces of flooring workers, are reliably observed.