Safe Handling

At Eurobitume, we are dedicated to safety and reliability at every stage of the bitumen life cycle, from refining, to transport, installation to recycling and eventual disposal. Safe handling procedures are a vital component of this approach, ensuring that any risk to workers and members of the public is minimised.

Bitumen emissions at ambient temperature are negligible. However, the physical properties of bitumen require that handling and application is generally carried out at elevated temperature. Under these conditions emissions from bitumen can occur. Eurobitume places great importance on ensuring that occupational exposure of workers to emission from hot bitumen is minimised. Eurobitume has a permanent Committee dedicated to Health, Safety and the Environment, this committee has published numerous guides aimed at promoting safe handling of bitumen throughout the supply chain.

Eurobitume is committed to promoting industry-wide standards in health, safety and environmental practices. Our goal is to achieve continuous improvement in bitumen handling methods, transportation, storage and recycling practices through a range of activities and initiatives, including:

  • Producing and distributing good-practice solutions and codes of practice
  • Promoting safety and environmental standards
  • Reviewing equipment and engineering to ensure that safety best practice is maintained
  • Providing advice on legislative change in the areas of health, safety and environment
  • Review and interpret new research that addresses the health and safety aspects of working with bituminous materials

Follow the links below to find out more about different aspects of our safe handling guidelines. 

Safety Data Sheets

Safety data sheets (SDS) provide information on known health, safety and environmental hazards and indicate appropriate measures to reduce any identified risks. Although bitumen is not classified as a hazardous substance, bitumen suppliers voluntarily provide safety data sheets to their customers to ensure safe handling in the workplace.

To encourage the safe use of bitumen, Eurobitume offers a range of publications with information for anyone involved in the transport and handling of bituminous products.

Find the updated Safe Handling Guidelines here.

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Safe Delivery Guides

Read the Safe Delivery Guide for your country to see all the relevant safety and regulatory information you need. Reduce risk and avoid accidents by following our best practice documents. Read more

Safe Delivery Video

In addition to Safe Delivery Guides in multiple languages, Eurobitume has also produced a Safe Delivery Video which is currently available in EnglishFrench and Spanish.

In Case of Accident:
Burns Cards

Even if you follow all the safety guidelines and have minimised all relevant risks, accidents can happen. In case of a bitumen burn, the right first aid can make all the difference. Read more

Safe Handling Cards

Safe work practices are best taught through  training.. It’s important to ensure they remain at the forefront of everyone’s thinking. Our Safe Handling Guides offer all the most important information at a glance, available in your local language. Read more

ADR Regulations for Drivers

European Guidelines for the safe transport of dangerous goods set out the responsibilities that must be fulfilled by each party involved. Find out more about what this means in your country. Read more

Loading, Storage and Handling Temperature

The high handling temperature of bitumen products leads to a number of specific challenges for those who work with it. These guidelines provide information for loading and storage as well as safe maximum handling temperatures. Read more

Inoperable Safety Showers

Bitumen and bituminous binders are generally stored, loaded and delivered at elevated temperatures. Contact of hot bitumen with exposed skin and eyes has the potential to cause serious burns, consequently Eurobitume has developed procedural and engineering guidance documents on safe deliveries. Safety showers and eye-wash stations must be operational whenever delivery of bitumen takes place. Read more...