Workplace Exposure Standards For Airborne Contaminants Monitoring

All workplaces have hazards that are a potential risk to all persons including employers, employees, visitors and contractors.  These hazards can range from indoor air quality related hazards for workers in indoor office environments through to physical hazards related to manual handling and hazards related to hazardous chemicals and processes. We ensure workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants are met to keep everyone safe.

Envirohealth Consulting have over 25 years experience specializes in assessing and controlling workplace hazards and risks including workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants.  Our specialist occupational hygienists can assess all types of occupational hazards in the commercial, industrial and construction workplace.

By leveraging our experience and expertise, we ensure that workplaces are safe, healthy, and fully compliant with regulatory workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants, promoting the well-being of all individuals involved in the work environment.

The types of hazards typically assessed include:

• Nuisance dust and dusts containing hazardous components including coal dust, wood dust, silica dusts, concrete dust and general environmental dust.
• Indoor air quality related contaminants including airborne microbiological contaminants, comfort indicators (temperature and relative humidity), carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde.
• Welding fumes associated with arc, Mig, Tig and gas welding all types of metals.
• Extensive range of process related contaminants.

Industrial processes generate extensive fumes

Asbestos air monitoring in progress

Envirohealth Consulting occupational hygienists can assist in all stages the identification and assessment of occupational hazards.  This includes the following critical steps, as required by legislation:

1. Identification. This aspect comes under the legislation requirement for all workplaces to identify hazardous substances.  The identification of workplace hazards primarily involves assessment of specific safety data sheets.  In the event safety data sheets are unavailable, Envirohealth Consulting has an extensive data base suitable for identifying particular hazards.
2. Managing the Risk. Based on the identification process and assessment of the safety data sheets, an examination of work processes is carried out, usually with full consultation with the staff involved in the processes.  This consultation and assessment will provide an indication of staff likely to be exposed to workplace hazards, and will assist in managing the risks.  .
3. Air Monitoring. Air monitoring is an essential component in the evaluation of worker exposure to a complete range of airborne workplace hazards.  The air monitoring can assist in determining worker exposure, along with control measure effectiveness including effectiveness of engineering controls (ventilation).  The monitoring can also determine the distribution of airborne contaminant clouds, and obtain accurate airborne contaminant profiles within a workplace.  This data is essential in the development of control measures and designation of personal protective equipment.  Envirohealth Consulting’s laboratory has all the equipment necessary to undertake extensive air monitoring programs in large workplaces and large industrial sites.  We have vast experience in developing air monitoring programs to ensure clients obtain information that is accurate and can be effectively used in developing control measures and ensure that staff exposures are kept well below legislated exposure standards.  In addition to the on-site component of the air monitoring, Envirohealth Consulting have working arrangements with consulting laboratories to undertake analytical testing of the collected samples, in the shortest possible turnaround time.
4. Selecting the Means for Controlling the Risk. Upon completion of the air monitoring, it is required that, where airborne levels are detected above an action levels (or risk level), control measures be put in place to minimise and/or control the risks.  Envirohealth Consulting recommend following the hierarchy of controls where elimination of silica in processes is not possible.  The hierarchy of controls includes (in this order): Elimination; Substitution; Engineering controls; Administrative controls and finally, personal protective equipment.  Envirohealth Consulting can assist in addressing all of the steps in the hierarchy of controls.  We have working relationships with specialist mechanical ventilation engineering firms, process engineering firms and association professionals to ensure our clients obtain the most cost effective solution to any potential exposure issues detected during monitoring and assessment programs.  We also have an intimate knowledge of respiratory protection usage, effectiveness and legislation.  All of this can give clients assurance that when an assessment is carried out, that Envirohealth Consulting will ensure cost effective and workable solutions are provided and seen through to completion.
5. Health Monitoring. Under applicable legislation, it is often a requirement that worker health monitoring be conducted if there exists a significant risk to worker health as a result of exposure to hazardous chemicals.  Based on the findings of the above steps, Envirohealth Consulting can advise clients as to their obligations under the applicable legislation.  We also have a range of occupational practitioners we work closely with to ensure clients get the right advice and comply with health monitoring requirements.  Our associated occupational practitioners also ensure workers’ health is the number one priority.  We can also work closely with client appointed medical practitioners if required.
6. Record Keeping. In cases of many workplace hazard exposure, it is required that all records relating to health monitoring and airborne assessments be maintained for a period of 30 years.  Envirohealth Consulting has been in operation for over 25 years and still hold records relating to our first projects.  Clients can be assured that all records are kept in archive for the required time period.
7. Induction, Information, Training and Supervision. As with all workplace hazards and risks, employers are required under legislation to provide inductions and training in relation to the hazards.  This information shall include information relating to health risks, occupational processes likely to generate hazards, control mechanism, correct use of personal protective equipment, air monitoring results and health monitoring information.