Obligations under the Working Conditions Act when using ethanol

Many disinfectants contain the active ingredient ethanol. Chances are that the hand disinfectant offered in shops or offices is a product based on (at least) 70% ethanol. This is also advised by the RIVM in connection with the Corona crisis. The Health Council of the Netherlands investigated the carcinogenic properties of ethanol in 2006. As a result, it was placed on the SZW list of carcinogenic substances and processes. This means that you as an employer are subject to a number of obligations under the Working Conditions Act, if you use ethanol.

What obligations then?

We highlight the most important obligations. Please note that this information must be kept for at least 40 years. A lot of work and for the larger healthcare companies, for example, an almost impossible task. It starts with recording the use of the substance. You must be able to answer these questions in your reporting:

  • Why is it used?
  • Why is there no alternative?
  • What kind of work is performed?

One of the most labour-intensive obligations is to maintain a list of workers who may be exposed. And if there is exposure: how did the exposure occur and for how long? Could the exposure have been prevented? What are you doing to limit the exposure as much as possible? And are the limit values not exceeded?

As I said, you can imagine that this entails considerable administration for large (healthcare) organisations.

Alternative to ethanol

A very important question is asked in the Working Conditions Act, namely "Why don't you use an alternative?". This is often because people do not know of an approved alternative that is at least as effective.

An innovative concept: DAAS.

At Watter we offer an effective and user-friendly alternative: Disinfection As A Service. With this service, organisations receive a Watter system on site for a fixed amount per month. The system produces a hypoallergenic disinfectant based on water, electricity and salt. The main active ingredient in our disinfectant is HOCl. A substance that our bodies also produce themselves to fight infections and which is effective against bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Our disinfectant has been independently tested for effectiveness by TNO and others and is registered on the Article 95 list of the European Chemical Agency (ECHA). Our disinfection technology is approved both in Europe and in the Netherlands.

The advantages of DAAS over ethanol-based products?

Choose a kinder alternative. Discover the advantages of DAAS: sustainable disinfection of the future.

  • Be completely self-sufficient in bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal disinfectant;
  • Effective protection of employees and clients against Corona and Norovirus, among others;
  • Saving on disinfectants;
  • Significant reduction in plastic waste (streams), by excluding pre-packaged flasks, bottles and jerry cans;
  • Contribution to sustainable operations (<CO2), a transport of chemicals;
  • Storage and use of dangerous goods are unnecessary;

Want to know more about our DAAS concept? Then read on here.