The EMKG-Expo-Tool 2.0 is a first tier IT-tool that allows the user to estimate the inhalation exposure at a workplace using a control banding approach within the scope of the obligations arising from REACH and is described in the ECHA guidance R14.

The tool offers a simple approach to evaluate worker exposure and identify risk management measures requiring only a minimal number of input parameters. Thus the tool is easy to use and still allows quantitative exposure estimations.
The tool will take the user through a number of steps and will ask for information about the substance that is used, information on the operational conditions, and implemented control measures at the workplace. The assessment will take only minutes to be completed.

The revised and improved software version of the EMKG Expo Tool was developed to improve user-friendliness by way of providing a comprehensive user guide, built-in help features and an interactive user interface.
The newly developed version allows the user to generate a report of the results of the assessment of the exposure scenario.

This information may be

• exported to a pdf.file and/or
• printed or
• saved to an inventory within the tool allowing the user to revisit archived scenarios and using the imputed exposure determinants for different substances and exposure assessments.

For a summarized overview of the main features and key information of the EMKG-Expo-Tool 2.0 please download our poster "EMKG-Expo-Tool 2.0".

Limitations of the tool

Before getting started please consider the general limitations of the tool:

This Tier 1 assessment is:

• valid for inhalation exposure only.

• not appropriate for:

  • dust generating activities due to the use of abrasive techniques (e.g. grinding, sand-blasting, operations generating wood dusts),
  • open spray applications,
  • gases,
  • operations generating fumes (soldering, welding)
  • pesticides
• not suited for CMR substances.

These situations involve more complex exposures requiring additional considerations that are not addressed by the current tool.

Beta version: Please consider the following limitations of the beta version of the tool:

• The control guidance sheets are not displayed according to the language selected, i.e. for the English version of a specific control guidance sheet

  Please select the file containing "EN" in the filename.

• At the end of the assessment the control guidance sheets are not displayed according to the control approach/band selected in the specific exposure scenario created by the user.
  Until these issues are solved we recommend referring to the control guidance sheets provided in the Supporting documents section.

System requirements

This software was developed by chromgruen Planungs- und Beratungs-GmbH & Co. KG on behalf of BAuA.

Currently there is one version of the tool for the MS Windows operating system available.

The EMKG-Expo-Tool is a Java™ Desktop application, therefore a Java Runtime Engine (JRE) must be installed on your computer. Version 1.7 or higher of the Java™ Runtime Engine is required.

Program Installation

The EMKG-Expo-Tool is a multi-platform application written in the Java™ programming language. No operation system specific installation procedure is used.
After unzipping the EMKG-Expo-Tool distribution zip file to your hard disk you can immediately start working with EMKG-Expo-Tool.
Please note: You MUST have write access for the directory where the EMKG-Expo-Tool distribution is unzipped!

The EMKG-Expo-Tool saves all data as well as some files in a local database, which is located in its working directory. Therefore write access to this directory is required!

Starting the program

Please navigate to your installation directory in the Windows Explorer and double click on expo.exe. In the next step you can create a Desktop shortcut to the application.

Disclaimer

The Software is made available by the Federal Republic of Germany represented by the President of the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (hereinafter referred to as the "Licensor") for free use and for free-of-charge distribution by the user as freeware as it is.

The Licensor does not assume any liability for the use of the Software nor does it guarantee the performance of the Software. In particular, the Licensor is not responsible for its usability, proper functioning, absence of defects or other properties of the Software. The Licensor does not assume liability for the User to achieve the result desired by using the Software. Liability by the Licensor for any direct or indirect consequential damage due to the use of the Software is excluded. All risks that arise directly or indirectly from the use of the Software lie exclusively with the User. The same applies in the case of data loss or damage to the computer of the User and any resulting consequential damage due to the installation and use of the Software. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within the Software is accurate and up to date. Nevertheless, no warranty is made as to the accuracy or reliability of the information contained herein.
The BAuA will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of the software, including, indirect, incidental and consequential damages, nor does it assume any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information. Except for entitlements for compensation from legal regulations, claims for damages are excluded in any event.
The Licensor does not guarantee the correct and complete transfer of the files when the Software is downloaded. Nor does the Licensor guarantee that the transferred Software is free from viruses, Trojan horses, computer worms, etc. The Licensor does not guarantee that the Software licensed by it is free of third-party rights.

Contact

Please note that BAuA does not operate a help desk for users of the tool. For help with using the tool, please refer to the User Guide.

Please do not hesitate to email us via the following link if you need further assistance with the down-load and installation of the tool or if you want to report a bug or another issue:

sek4.1@baua.bund.de

Please refer to the User Guide for the Terms & Conditions of use.