A Power App developed in-house in Kufstein replaces the previous Excel-based hazardous substances register. Safety data sheets and first-aid information can now be accessed and printed quickly and reliably in the appropriate local language. It is a smart solution that other sites can adopt.
The initiative was prompted by an audit. It raised a question that was as simple as it was important: How can shop floor employees quickly find the latest safety data sheet and hazardous materials instructions for a substance they use? Until then, they had to rely on an Excel file and printouts kept at the relevant machine, which were hopefully still up to date. The system worked, but it was confusing and prone to error.
When someone has come into contact with a hazardous substance, emergency responders and treating physicians need to know as quickly and precisely as possible what action to take. The safety data sheet contains the necessary information, and the Power App from Kufstein puts it on screen in just a few clicks.
Fast-Track Development
Before developing a solution themselves, the team reviewed commercial options. However, high licensing costs led them to take a different approach. They transferred the existing hazardous substances register to a Power App and added a clear, user-friendly search interface. The first version was completed within two months.
The search is straightforward: As users type, the app narrows the results. In addition to official product names, it recognizes commonly used terms such as “brake cleaner.” Users can then download and print the safety data sheet and hazardous materials instructions. Additional buttons provide first-aid measures and information about the hazards associated with the substance. The poison control center’s phone number is also stored in the app.
“The app is not a substitute for safety training. Instead, it provides an additional layer of protection in a hectic accident situation when action must be taken under time pressure. It also supports employees in their day-to-day work, for example when they have questions about the appropriate personal protective equipment”, emphasizes Alexander Vasilico, HSE Professional.
From Local to Global
Within a month, the local solution had evolved into a cross-site application. After the plant in Lajosmizse, Hungary, expressed interest, the app was enhanced. Country-specific documents and site-specific details such as storage location, storage conditions, and quantities on hand were added. These can be managed separately by country or site and are available in the relevant local language, currently English, German, and Hungarian. The app automatically detects the signed-in user’s site and language. This ensures that employees receive critical information in a language they understand with confidence.
Employees can also use the app to request new substances. A digital workflow involves the responsible departments in the review process. In addition, the app supports Procurement with risk assessments, for example when identifying substitute substances or evaluating potential supply chain risks. Step by step, the former hazardous substances register has evolved into a comprehensive substances register.
In addition to Lajosmizse, other sites have already expressed interest and are considering adopting the application. What began in Kufstein as a response to an audit question is increasingly developing into a global solution. During Power Weeks 2026, HSE professionals Patrick Franke and Alexander Vasilico, together with Continuous Improvement Manager Marina Hoheneder, will present the app on November 17 and 20. Participants will gain insight into how the solution was developed, see a live demo, and have an opportunity to ask questions about using it at their own site.
