Our workplace air monitoring and assessment services help you ensure that worker exposure to hazardous substances in the air is not at levels above legal limits.
We are BOHS-accredited consultants with expertise in COSHH regulation and monitoring technicalities, and can help ease the burden of COSHH compliance.
Please get in touch to talk with the team or request a quote.
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 air quality monitoring in the workplace. This will help ensure that the exposure of workers to harmful substances in the workplace air does not exceed the legal limits. These surveys offer peace of mind and protection for both employees and employers.
Our skilled Occupational Hygiene Consultants can help with all aspects of COSHH. Talk to us if you have questions or would like us to quote for you.
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The suggested time between air monitoring depends on the chemicals present in the workplace and the risks involved.
For example:
It is best practice to repeat any workplace air monitoring after a failure, change or renewal of control measures in place.
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.
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:
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. You can read more about WELs in our blog, Understanding Workplace Exposure Limits.
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:
Our Occupational Health Team offers a range of services to complement your COSHH compliance goals. From lung function tests to skin analysis, we can help with early detection, reduce absenteeism, and improve the overall health of your workforce.
A competent person should carry out your air survey.
When choosing a supplier for workplace air quality monitoring, it is important that you choose a company of the correct calibre.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 state 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 undertake the workplace air monitoring. The consultant who 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 the Licentiate level by the BOHS.
Matthew is Synergy’s Managing Director. He 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 monitoring air quality in the workplace.
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 provides Workplace Noise Assessment Services?
Call or email if you have questions or would like us to quote for you.
Workplace air monitoring is a fundamental aspect of worker safety and COSHH compliance in most industries. From inert compounds to hazardous substances, Synergy’s team of Occupational Hygiene Consultants can work with you to get you a report in 15 working days. We specialise in all these workplace hazards.
Synergy Occupational Hygiene is a subsidiary of Synergy Environmental Solutions Limited.
Registered in England 7937140.
VAT Registration Number 157959059
