Extra attention: under 18 years of age
Children under the age of 16 are not allowed to work with hazardous substances. Employees under the age of 18 who work with hazardous substances have an increased risk of harmful effects on their health. Therefore, it is forbidden for young people up to the age of 18 to work with, or come into contact with, certain biological substances that can cause serious disease in humans and chemical substances that are harmful, sensitizing, toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic or toxic to reproduction (so-called CMR substances). This is shown in the table below:
Biological agents | Class 3, Class 4 |
Harmful to organs | H370, H371, H372, H373 |
Sensitizing | H334 |
Poisonous | H300, H301, H310, H311, H330, H331 |
Mutagenic | H340, H341 |
Carcinogenic | H350, H351 |
Reproduction toxic | H360, H361, H362 |
For all other hazardous substances, people under the age of 18 are only allowed to work with them under expert supervision.
Furthermore, it is forbidden for people under 18 to:
- to work under overpressure
- working with hazardous non-ionising radiation such as lasers, radar installations
- work in noisy environments
- work with vibrations
- perform night work
You can find more information on the national government website 'What work is forbidden for young people up to the age of 18?'.