Workplace Air Monitoring & Assessment

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.

Workplace Air Monitoring and Assessment Services

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 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.

workplace air monitoring

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workplace air monitoring

How Often Should I Have a Workplace Exposure Assessment?

The suggested time between air monitoring depends on 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 done less often.
  • Whereas more toxic chemicals or substances that 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 air monitoring more frequently.
  • Furthermore, any change in processes or substances handled within a facility should also prompt another workplace air survey.

It is best practice to repeat any workplace air monitoring after a failure, change or renewal of control measures in place.

Why Conduct 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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Use our 8-hour time-weighted average calculator.

workplace air monitoring
workplace air monitoring

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. You can read more about WELs in our blog, Understanding Workplace Exposure Limits.

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.
  5. If all of these methods are found to be ineffective, then finally, the exposure should be controlled using PPE.
workplace air monitoring

Health Surveillance Services

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.

Why choose Synergy for your workplace air monitoring?

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.

Workplace air surveys

Matthew Hayes, our Managing Director

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?

Get in touch

Call or email if you have questions or would like us to quote for you.

Industry beating 15-day-report turnaround

Trusted by Leading Businesses

“Synergy Occupational Hygiene have provided a professional and quality service for our company over the past several years.  I have found the team to be extremely knowledgeable, helpful and courteous in relation to the services they offer and in my experience, they are prepared to go the extra mile to help their customers.  They are highly recommended and we will continue to use their services in the future.”

Paul WellsSolus Scientific Solutions Ltd

“Frank H. Dale Limited started using Synergy Occupational Hygiene a number of years ago and we have found them to offer an excellent service, both in terms of the on site delivery and the advice detailed within the subsequent reports. They regularly work with us to offer flexibility in the delivery of this service and the knowledgeable staff are always happy to provide follow up advice on the recommendations they have made. We highly recommended them and will continue to use them for future projects.”

Mr. Justin PriceFrank H Dale Limited

“We have dealt with Synergy Occupational Hygiene since 2016. They consistently provide a professional service. We use them for both air/personal monitoring and LEV inspection. If we have had any issues, they have worked with us to overcome and given alternative solutions. The team have always been helpful and courteous.

I would highly recommend and will use their services for many years to come.”

Melanie JenkinsKay Premium Marking Films
 

Synergy Specialises in All Aspects of COSHH

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.

Hazards in the Workplace