Maximum Workplace Concentration Value (MAK value):
According to SUVA*, this value defines the maximum permissible average concentration of a work substance in the air that, according to current knowledge, generally does not endanger health when exposed during a working time of 8 hours daily and up to 42 hours per week, even over longer periods, for the vast majority of healthy people employed at the workplace. Additionally, a short-term limit value (KZGW) can be defined. The KZGW is the value that must not be exceeded even briefly. From a measurement technical perspective, this means that the average value of a 15-minute measurement must not exceed the short-term limit value.
Biological Work Substance Tolerance Value (BAT value):
According to SUVA*, this value describes the concentration of a work substance, its metabolites, or a stress parameter in blood or urine, at which the health of an employee is generally not impaired, even with repeated and long-term exposure. Biological monitoring represents the assessment of the exposure of employees to substances by directly detecting them or their metabolites in biological material (e.g., blood or urine measurements). If applicable, a biological indicator is also determined, which indicates a reaction in the organism to the substance (stress parameter). Biological monitoring enables an integrated assessment of the burden from substances through all uptake pathways (air, skin, or mouth). Health risks can be estimated by comparing the measured values of the biological parameters with the assessment values for biomonitoring (e.g., BAT values).
MAK and BAT value list:
The values are published annually on the SUVA website: www.suva.ch/grenzwerte.
Legal basis:
The Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund (SUVA) issues MAK and BAT values for the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases. This is done in agreement with the Limit Value Commission of Suissepro (Art. 50 VUV). Unlike DNEL values, socioeconomic and feasibility considerations can also be included in the determination of MAK and BAT values. Therefore, the affected stakeholders are consulted in advance.
*) SUVA document "Workplace Limit Values" (in german)
