Legislation and duties in hazardous work
Why the rules exist, and what they require of you
Work with epoxy, isocyanates and asbestos is subject to special rules because the substances can seriously damage health. The rules stem from occupational health and safety legislation and apply regardless of whether you find them inconvenient. The purpose is simple: the person performing the work should not become ill from it.
§Why there are rules
Many of the injuries that the rules are meant to prevent show up only long after you've been exposed — allergies that become permanent, or illnesses that only break out after many years. Precisely because the danger is not always felt immediately, prevention is written into the law instead of being left to the individual's judgment on the day.
§Education requirements
For certain types of hazardous work there is a requirement for specific training before you can even get started. This applies to commercial work with epoxy and isocyanates and — under the rules that came into force 21 December 2025 — all asbestos work regardless of extent. The training ensures you know the hazards and can work safely — and having it is a condition for carrying out the work not just a recommendation.
§Information about the hazards
The law is based on knowing the substances you work with. Therefore there must be a safety data sheet for chemical products and the packaging must be hazard labelled. The employee has the right to be trained and instructed before dangerous work begins — and is obliged to use that information and the protective equipment provided.
§Workplace assessment and planning
Farligt arbejde skal planlægges, så risikoen begrænses. Arbejdspladsvurderingen (APV) er det redskab, hvor arbejdspladsens risici kortlægges, og forholdsregler aftales. For asbest kan der desuden være krav om kortlægning før arbejdet og om anmeldelse til myndighederne, før visse opgaver sættes i gang.
§Responsibility is shared
The employer has a duty to ensure that work can be performed safely — training instruction protective equipment and responsible planning. The employee has a duty to follow instructions use protective equipment and speak up if something is irresponsible. Safety thus rests on both parties not one alone.
§Where you find the rules
The specific requirements appear in the Danish Working Authority's regulations and guidelines on chemical working environment epoxy and isocyanates and asbestos. Industry work environment councils also publish practical guidelines. If you are unsure what applies to a specific task look it up there or ask your work environment organization — instead of guessing.