Occupational hygiene compliance the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Chapter 3 Part 3.1 Clause 33) outlines a duty holder is required to manage possible health and safety risks by implementing the following conditions to the workplace:
• A requirement not to exceed an exposure standard;
• A duty to implement a specific control measure, and;
• A duty to assess risk.
(Chapter 3 Part 3.1 Clause 50) outlines a duty holder is required to conduct air monitoring to ascertain if a workplace exposure standard is exceeded within the workplace or to determine if there is a health risk.
(Chapter 7 Part 7.1 Division 5 Subdivision 1 Clause 352) specifies workplace monitoring should be reviewed at least once every 5 years or if there has been a previous exceedance.
As a WHS representative in a workplace you have a responsibility to both your workers and your company to ensure occupational exposures are identified and knowledge of the present levels. If changes occur through changes to the process, equipment or materials used onsite the levels may vary and therefore require re-assessment.
Occupational Matters hygienist can complete a comprehensive occupational hygiene assessment of contaminant concentrations for your workplace.