Dutch labour and employers organisations in the construction industry worked together on the reduction of diesel engine emission (DEE). Their bipartite knowledge centre Volandis published the A-form which was updated in 2026 and accompanied by two practical tools to help employers make their steps toward zero emission.
Exposure to DEE
Employees in construction and infrastructure are being exposed to DEE during many of their tasks. This can be exhaust in their close environment, for example passing traffic, or exhaust that is created during work, for example while working with machines which are powered by diesel. DEE is a carcinogen, which means that reducing exposure to it has high priority.
Points of exposure
In many of the tasks employees execute, the exposure rate is too high. The construction and infrastructure sector includes lots of very small companies, employing less than 10 employees. These are known to have little knowledge of hazardous substances and appropriate measures. Therefore, the sectors social parties agreed on:
- A statement to actively strive to minimalize exposure to DEE on the work place.
- Developing two practical tools that aid the companies to make steps to minimalizing DEE, starting with raising consciousness and registering sources of exposure, eventually leading to effective eliminiation of DEE sources.
Solutions
In the A-form Diesel engine emission, employees and employers in construction and infrastructure have agreed to reduce as much of the exhaust of DEE as possible, regardless the legal limit value. Many practical measures are being explained, in order of the occupational health strategy.
In addition to the form, which is presented as a written leaflet, two online tools were developed. The first tool effectively helps to inventarise, register and prioritize DEE-sources within a company to know what sources should be replaced first. The second tool guides the companies through a series of relevant questions to ask equipment dealers for the right equipment to reduce DEE as much as possible when replacing equipment, based on the right hierarchy of controls.
Result
The A-form is being published which includes all necessary and practical measures to reduce DME in the sector as much as possible. The tools are online available on the Volandis website.
