Workplace Air Monitoring

Workplace air monitoring will help you to make sure that your workers’ exposures to hazardous substances in the air are not at levels above the legal limits.

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Why carry out air monitoring?

Regulation 10 of The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) makes it the duty of the employer to decide whether they require air monitoring.

If a company’s risk assessment shows a risk of exposure, then it should arrange for monitoring of the workplace air. This will help to make sure that the exposure of workers to harmful substances in the workplace air do not exceed the legal limits. These surveys offer peace of mind and protection for both employees and employers.

How often should I have an exposure assessment?

The suggested time between air monitoring depends upon the chemicals present in the workplace and the risks involved. For example, general dust and more inert compounds may only need an assessment every two years. Also, where previous surveys show good control of exposure, monitoring can be less often. Whereas more toxic chemicals or substances which are present in large amounts may require monitoring every year. In the same way, where the risk of exposure or risk of severe health effects is present, companies may need monitoring more often. Furthermore, any change in processes or substances handled within a facility should also prompt for another workplace air survey. It is also best practice to repeat the test after a failure, change or renewal of control measures in place.

workplace air monitoring

Workplace Air Monitoring

The main reason to carry out occupational air monitoring is to measure the exposure of workers to harmful substances in the workplace. Moreover, it allows us to compare these results to the workplace exposure limits published by the HSE. This allows you to state whether your company is compliant with COSHH.

If a test in a report shows that a compound exceeds or is close to a limit, then the report should also have the information to allow the correct control measures to be put in place. Putting these control measures in place helps to safeguard the health and well-being of your workers. Furthermore, there are also secondary reasons for ensuring the health of employees. These include better productivity and less sick leave. A full history of workplace air monitoring, by qualified occupational hygiene consultants, also shows an employer’s dedication to employee health.

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Workplace Exposure Limits

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) gives many substances workplace exposure limits, sometimes referred to as WEL. The HSE reviewed its document EH40/2005 in 2020. This sets the UK Limits for exposure to hazards in the air. If no occupational exposure limit exists for a substance in the UK, then Synergy compares the test results with limits from other sources. Sources such as:

  • The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
  • The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  • The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) amongst others.

It is important to note that EH40/2005, does not list all substances. If one is not listed, it does not mean that it is safe. It is crucial to look at the health complaints of workers, even if the substance used has no specific workplace exposure limit.

Controlling Occupational Exposure

Workplace air monitoring helps employers to control exposure. It allows companies to make sure that the workforce does not suffer any adverse health effects. It is important to use the hierarchy of control to control these hazards. The hierarchy of control states:

  1. Where elimination of a substance is possible, this must be the first control measure.
  2. If this is not possible, then using a less hazardous compound must be the next control measure.
  3. If neither of these control measures is possible, then employers should use engineering measures, such as LEV.
  4. In turn, if this is not possible, then administrative controls should be put in place. The aim of this should be to put in place procedural methods to control the hazards. If all of these methods are found to be ineffective, then finally, the exposure should be controlled using PPE.

Why choose Synergy for your workplace air monitoring?

A competent person should carry out your air survey. 

When choosing a supplier for your workplace air monitoring it is important that you choose a company of the correct calibre.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states that companies must use a competent person for their health and safety. In the case where they expose workers to a variety of substances or very hazardous substances, it advises that an occupational hygienist undertakes the workplace air monitoring. The consultant that comes to do the work should have a certificate of competence to carry out the work.

This is important because workplace air monitoring is not just about taking samples. It’s also about looking at working practices to see how exposure takes place. Furthermore, it’s about what the results mean and also how they can be used to reduce exposure. Interpreting results is not just a case of comparing the numbers against the exposure limits specified in EH40. In addition, someone who is competent should check the report produced by the site consultant. This person should be at least qualified to Licentiate level by the BOHS.

Matthew Hayes our Managing Director

Matthew is Synergy’s Managing Director. Himself and the team of dedicated consultants are passionate about their work and about protecting workers from work-related activities that could cause serious, and even fatal, illnesses. The occupational hygiene team are highly competent in assessing exposure to hazardous substances, through various tests and surveys such as workplace air monitoring.

Matthew can assist you with a bespoke strategy for all your air measurements, ensure all sampling is in line with relevant guidance, and issue clear and concise reports.

Did you know that Synergy also carries out Workplace Noise Assessments?