What is Workplace Exposure Monitoring?
It is the measurement workplace substances and/or conditions which may be harmful to health. Some common examples are physical agents such as light, heat, noise, radiation and airborne contaminants like mold, metal fume, silica, wood dust and chemical gases and vapors.
Monitoring is required to:
· help select the right controls
· check exposure limits are not exceeded and your controls are working
· assist you select the correct personal protective equipment e.g. respirator and filters
· establish if health monitoring is required, e.g. hearing tests (audiometry), lung function (spirometry)
· comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act, 2015, i.e. monitoring conditions to prevent ill-health and injury.
Who should conduct exposure monitoring:
Exposure monitoring needs to be conducted by a competent person. This work is normally provided by Occupational Hygienists who have indepth knowledge of different hazards, measurement and control of workplace conditions and contaminants.
Contact HSL for assistance with:
· hazardous substance and/or noise exposure monitoring co-ordination
· assistance reading occupational hygiene reports and their recommendations relating to respiratory and/or hearing
Web Resources
About the New Zealand Occupational Hygiene Society:
The Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ)
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