Occupational safety

First and foremost, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG) is relevant when it comes to issues of occupational safety. The following definition can be found here: “Occupational safety measures within the meaning of this law are measures to prevent accidents at work and work-related health risks, including measures to ensure that work is designed in a humane manner.” (§2 Para. 1 ArbSchG)”.

The legally secure implementation of the requirements for occupational safety and health and environmental protection is not always easy due to the large number of laws, regulations and rules from the different legal areas. A clear summary and coordination of these requirements for the respective workplace is therefore essential.
Access to the occupational health and safety management system (AGUM) can only be done from the THMnetwork.
Information on occupational safety topics (laws, guidelines, etc.) can be found at:

• ASiG
• ArbSchG
• Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (baua)
• environment-online

Risk assessment
The assessment of the working conditions is to be carried out as a permanent task by the person responsible for the respective area. Any change in working conditions must be assessed and documented in advance in order to avoid endangering employees. This requires detailed knowledge of the procedures and processes used in the activities, the variants and disruptions that may occur, and the prevailing working conditions. The FM3 department and the occupational safety specialists can provide advice and support in this respect.

Basic education and training of first aiders and fire protection assistants
The training and professional development of first responders and fire protection assistants at the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen is organised centrally by the FM3 department.
If you would like to make yourself available as a first aider or fire protection assistant at the THM, please contact the staff of the FM3 department.

The internal emergency organization with, among other things first responders and Fire protection assistants, as well as an overview of the medical rooms and AEDs can be found in THM-Intrawiki.

Unfallkasse Hesse
The THM's accident insurance provider is Unfallkasse Hessen. Here you will find useful information on prevention and seminars, etc.

Waste disposal

The logical sequence of waste avoidance, recycling and, as the last alternative, disposal of residues is the best possible option with regard to environmental protection and the effective use of the available resources.

Information regarding the collection and handling of waste can be found in the disposal plan. Waste disposal plan from A to Z.

Acceptance of hazardous waste in the chemical storage area

C campus, building C10, room U.08

by appointment only

D campus, building D15, room U.16

Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and Thursday: 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m

and by appointment

hazardous materials

According to the Ordinance on Hazardous Substances (GefStoffV) substances are deemed hazardous if they have a chemical hazard potential, e.g. pure substances (elements and compounds) or preparations made from the same (mixtures of substances).

Activities involving hazardous substances can lead to accidents and work-related health risks. Therefore caution is always required when working with hazardous substances. Accident and health risks are primarily to be avoided or sufficiently reduced through technical and organisational measures. If this is not possible, suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used. A general rule applies to all handling of hazardous substances as stated in the Hazardous materials register obligation (GefStoffV §6 Para. 10). In addition, according to Section 14 (3) of the GefStoffV, a register has to be kept of the employees exposed to carcinogenic, mutagenic and fertility-toxic substances. The register must contain information on the level and duration of exposure and be stored for a period of 40 years.

When collecting, using and transporting hazardous substances, strict compliance with the GefStoffV and the Dangerous Goods Transport Act (GBefGG) as well as the ADR is necessary.

You will also find information on the Global Harmonized System (GHS), storage, transport and disposal of hazardous substances on:

• GESTIS substance database
• Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (baua)
• Chemicals Act (ChemG)
• Ordinance on Hazardous Substances (GefStoffV)
• Storage (TRGS 510)
• BG RCI
• DGUV-I-213-850

health protection

Operational health protection deals with the long-term effects of work on the health of employees. Health protection and occupational safety are closely linked here.

Prevention plays an important role in health protection and accident prevention. This includes training and information for ergonomic computer work (correct sitting, office chair and desk settings), correct lifting and carrying, skin care (skin protection plan) and correct behaviour in road traffic.

Another important goal of the THM is barrier-free integration and individually designed workplaces for people with disabilities or limitations. There are a number of aids that make the job easier and through which the workplace (office furniture, chairs, equipment, machines, etc.) can be designed accordingly. It is often not known that a large number of grants and funding opportunities are available from various institutions and that employees can also apply for these themselves. Among other things, applications can be submitted to the integration office, the employment office, or the pensions office. With office furniture in particular, it is possible to find adequate solutions, for example with electrically powered height-adjustable desks or specially adjusted office chairs. More detailed information, also in a personal meeting, can be obtained from the representatives for severely disabled persons and from the facility management department (FM3).

Other health protection measures include the active protection of non-smokers and special hygiene rules during the flu season.

• UVV "Principles of Prevention" (BGV A 1/GUV-V A1 or DGUV-V 1)
• Youth Employment Protection Act (JArbSchG)
• Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG)
• Ordinance on Occupational Health Care (ArbMedVV)
• Back school - Lifting and carrying (BGHW), poster "Think of me - I'm your back" , "Staying fit at work" and "Maintaining your posture" (from the Unfallkasse Hessen)
• The current skin protection plan can be found in Intrawiki
• Information on workplace ergonomics
• Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (baua)
• Study entitled The advantage of taking precautions from the FELIX BURDA FOUNDATION

environmental Protection

The THM attaches great importance to efficient environmental protection, to an environmentally friendly operating process and that all operational activities move within the given legal framework. A primary goal of the THM is sustainable development in teaching and research, scientific services, technical operations and administration.

Information on environmentally relevant topics (laws, guidelines, etc.) can be found at:

• Federal Emission Control Act (BImSchG)
• Circular Economy Act (KrWG)
• Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (UVPG)
• Hessian State Office for Environment and Geology (HLUG)

Direct areas of application at the THM regarding environmental protection include operational practice, resource management and indoor air quality as well as aspects that need to be considered when using laser printers and copiers.