Number

212-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

A certain group of accelerating admixtures for sprayed concrete containing hazardous chemicals can be replaced by safer alternative products. Most large producers of concrete admixtures offer a variety of products. The decision is taken by the customer and its special demands. The institution for statutory accident insurance and prevention in the construction industry (BG BAU) in Germany offers advice on how to choose the safest products from a chemical hazard point of view, and still maintaining a good function.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Evidence of assessment: there is evidence of an official (positive) assessment of the substitution

Reason substitution

other toxic effects

Hazard Assessment

Substances to be substituted: Calcium carbonate, calcium dihydroxide, sodium carbonate and aluminium sodium oxide have no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation) and are not included in the database of hazardous substances according to SUBSPORTplus screening criteria (SDSC). Alternative substance: Aluminium sulphate hydrate is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database and has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).

Description of Substitution

The institution for statutory accident insurance and prevention in the construction industry (BG BAU) in Germany developed the so-called "Giscodes" (short description here on pages 83-88). They were established for promoting the protection of workers when dealing with chemical products in construction work. Giscodes are based on the idea that products with similar health hazards and therefore similar protection measures and behaviour rules are gathered into groups. The codes are assigned to a product based on its composition and purpose, depending on physical and chemical properties of its ingredients., The codes also indicate necessary protective measures. They allow employers/companies to compare the different risks posed by various chemicals found in construction products without having specialist knowledge. The product codes can support employers/companies in substituting hazardous products with less hazardous alternatives. Concrete admixtures are liquid, powder or granular substances. They are added to concrete to change the chemical and/or physical properties of fresh or hardened concrete. According to GISBAU concrete admixtures can be categorised into three hazard classes:products without labelling (code BZM1), irritant (BZM2) and corrosive (code BZM 3) to. Products having lower chemical hazards can replace more hazardous products (without changing the procedure). A hazard assessment was performed by GISBAU. This example presents the replacement of concrete admixtures to accelerate setting and hardening by safer alternative products. The alternative is suitable for all applications where high early strength, high final strength and large layer thickness are required. It can be used: •for temporary and permanent rock support, •for final lining, •for repair works, •in tunnelling, •in mining.

Case/substitution evaluation

There is a reduction of health and environmental risks achieved through the substitution.

State of implementation

In use

Availability ofAlternative

On the market

Producer/Provider

https://www.basf.com/at/de.html

Type of information supplier

Producer / distributor
Authority

Contact

Accident Insurance of the German Construction Industry BG BAUHazardous Substances Information System for the Construction  Industry (GISBAU) http://www.gisbau.de/index.html

Further information

MSDS of Meyco Sa 545 GISBAU short description in EN published by EU-OSHA, pages 83-88

Date, reviewed

November 26, 2021