Workplace Air Assessment
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 places a duty on employers to carry out assessments to evaluate the risks to health when using hazardous substances in the workplace.
We have extensive experience of carrying out occupational air sampling for dust, fume and vapour, in a wide range of multi sector industrial and manufacturing workplaces such as logistics & distribution, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, foundries & forging industries, chemicals & metals, education, construction, waste recycling, food manufacture, vehicle manufacture and automotive supply chain across the UK.
Our experienced BOHS qualified consultants use current sampling methodologies and latest air sampling equipment to carry out personal and background monitoring to measure exposure levels and evaluate risks. Our reports will identify any areas required to develop a strategy of action using practical solutions.
Our range of sampling of dusts, vapours and fumes includes:
- Total Inhalable and Respirable Dust
- Machine Made Mineral Fibre (MMMF)
- Refractory Ceramic Fibres
- VOCs
- Respirable Crystalline Silica
- Chromium VI
- Diesel Fume (Elemental Carbon)
- Cadmium
- Bioaerosols
- Aldehydes (Inc Formaldehyde)
- Ammonia
- Welding Fume
- Wood Dust
- Colophony (Resin Acids)
- Isocyanates (MDI,TDI)
- Lead
Bioaerosols Air Sampling
Bioaerosols can be produced from a range of industrial processes including the use of metalworking fluids, waste recovery operations or from composting operations. A bioaerosol is a suspension of fine aerosols or particles containing micro-organisms, typically bacteria, fungi and endotoxins.
Bioaerosols have the ability to cause a wide range of health effects including public health impact, and most notably respiratory sensitisation and lung function impairment in workers. As part of our range of occupational hygiene and environmental services, our BOHS-qualified occupational hygienists can help you with air sampling and risk control strategies against recognised guideline values.
We have the dual capability carrying out exposure monitoring for your workers, as well as environmental monitoring where public health risks exist at waste processing sites.
Endotoxins
Endotoxins are part of the outer membrane of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria and are found within the environment. They can cause acute & chronic ill-health effects via inhalation, from exposure to raised levels of dust contaminated with endotoxin.
Total Viable Bacterial and Fungal counts
We can carry out air sampling for total levels of viable bacteria and fungi within the workplace and determine the predominant culturable species.
Microbiological dipslide testing
We can carry out dipslide testing to monitor microbial growth within the workplace to assess potential level of bacterial contamination (colony-forming units per millilitre) of sample fluid. We cover a wide range of industries and applications which include, industrial waters, metalworking fluids (oils/lubricants etc), chilled water systems, cooling towers, paper processing plants, leather industry, food preparation and clinical industries.
Metal working fluid position statement
In light of the latest guidance document ‘Guidance for Occupational Hygienists on the Assessment and Control of the Health Risks from Metalworking Fluids’ from the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), we are advising that personal air sampling for metalworking fluid (MWF) mist is no longer considered an effective or appropriate means of assessing exposure risk. As a result, we will no longer be offering personal air sampling for metal working fluid mist as part of our consultancy services.
Based on this guidance, we will continue to provide support by focusing on:
- Workplace observations and assessments of exposure risk through qualitative means such as taking indicative measurements with a direct reading aerosol monitor, smoke testing or Tyndall beam dust lamp;
- Assessment and verification of LEV systems and other engineering controls;
- Reviews of MWF management practices, including providing an overview of fluid quality monitoring/management;
- Health surveillance program reviews; and
- Providing employee awareness and training on MWF risks and control measures
We are happy to discuss this further and work with you to review and improve your existing control measures in line with the latest guidance.