In November 2019, the rolled and mastic asphalt processing industry was faced with a difficult task due to the setting of a very low occupational exposure limit for vapours and aerosols from the hot processing of distillation and air-rectified bitumen. Provided that an industry solution is developed together with BG BAU and IG BAU, a 5-year transitional period until 31 December 2024 was granted for compliance with these limit values.

The required industry solution was published on 23 March 2021, on which the associations united in the Coordination Committee and the BG Bau have agreed. To this end, construction associations and the machinery and asphalt manufacturing industry have developed measures that can significantly reduce employee exposure to vapours and aerosols from bitumen in rolled and mastic asphalt construction.

The chairman of the committee sees the industry solution as a milestone for asphalt construction, especially in road construction, also for the future. It also documents the great importance of occupational health and safety for employees in the industries and sectors concerned.

According to the Prevention Department of the BG Bau, the measures of the industry solution are an effective way to improve health and safety in asphalt paving. The BG also incentivises existing machines to be retrofitted with e.g. extraction systems on pavers or remote controls for outlets on agitator vessels by offering health and safety bonuses.

The construction industry trade union believes that the "bitumen sector solution" has achieved a reduction in exposure in asphalt paving workplaces; the joint task now is to implement the reduction measures in practice together with the works councils and the accident insurance companies.

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