Occupational Hygiene Risk Management Resources
ACGIH - White Paper on Ventilation for Industrial Settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic
This White Paper, developed by the Industrial Ventilation Committee of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®), originates from concern about the proper use of ventilation controls in industrial workplaces where SARS-CoV-2 (the Coronavirus responsible for COVID-19) is potentially present.
Occupational hygiene measures to be applied when working on paints and coatings containing hexavalent chromium
RWS, RVB and ProRail hexavalent chromium management regime. The objective of this management regime is to provide everyone with guidelines for the safe processing and removal of coatings containing hexavalent chromium. It is assumed that the measures to prevent exposure to hexavalent chromium during work will also help to prevent exposure to other hazardous substances.
How will the UK withdrawal affect you?
The UK withdrew from the EU on 31 January 2020. As of 1 February 2020, the transition period provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement applies until 31 December 2020. During the transition period, EU law continues to apply to and in the UK. UK based companies are advised to transfer registrations and other assets to EU companies before the end of the transition. ECHA has updated the Q&As on these pages accordingly.
EH40/2005 (Fourth Edition 2020) - Workplace Exposure Limits
On 17 January 2020 HSE published a revised version of EH40/2005 ‘Workplace exposure limits’. This has been updated in order to implement amendments to the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (2004/37/EC) which introduces or revises 13 binding occupational exposure limit values for a number of carcinogenic substances.
Occupational exposure limits are implemented in the UK via the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations as Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) via Table 1 of EH40/2005 ‘Workplace exposure limits’ for use with COSHH.
COSHH requires exposure to carcinogenic substances to be reduced to ‘as low as is reasonably practicable’. Click image to download full document
Biological monitoring for isocyanates
Despite significant progress in the motor vehicle repair sector (due to an HSE awareness-raising intervention), isocyanates remain one of the leading causes of occupational asthma in Great Britain.
Biological monitoring is a simple way to check that exposure controls and working practices are effective. To explain the process, Kate Jones of the Biological Monitoring team at HSE has published a “How To Do It” article in Occupational Medicine. In the article, Kate talks through the practicalities of undertaking sampling as well as providing case studies. Click the image to download Kate Jones' article...
Occupational hygiene explained (BOHS) - A guide for union health and safety representatives
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), every year in the UK, approximately 13,000 people die from occupational diseases as a result of past exposures to hazardous substances. These diseases include cancer and lung-related illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an umbrella term which includes conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Making women visible in occupational health and safety
Though women now make up 48.5%1 of the global workforce and 27.6% of the agricultural workforce (rising to 66.5% in low income countries)2 the labour market remains heavily segregated. Women and men still do different work, and women and men may be exposed to different physical and psychological hazards and risks in the workplace. Click image to view IUF document...
Controlling airborne contaminants at work - A guide to local exhaust ventilation (LEV) - HSG258 (Third edition)
This book provides guidance on the design of new local exhaust ventilation (LEV) equipment. It describes the principles of deciding on, designing, commissioning and testing effective LEV.
MEC EH40 Comparison Table 2011 to 2018
MEC have put together an easy to use table which compares the Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) updates made to EH40 2018 3rd Edition with EH40 2011 2nd Edition. This table will allow you to quickly check which WELs have been reduced and which WELs are new entries to EH40.
Clearing The Air - A simple guide to buying and using local exhaust ventilation (LEV) - INDG408 (rev.1)
This leaflet is aimed at employers or anyone who installs LEV. Many employers install LEV to protect their workers’ health but it doesn’t always work effectively. It needs to be of the right type and properly installed, used and maintained. This leaflet advises on how to select the right LEV for your workplace and how to maintain it properly to help protect your employees.
Clearing The Air - A simple guide to buying and using local exhaust ventilation (LEV) - INDG408 (rev.1)
This leaflet is aimed at employers or anyone who installs LEV. Many employers install LEV to protect their workers’ health but it doesn’t always work effectively. It needs to be of the right type and properly installed, used and maintained. This leaflet advises on how to select the right LEV for your workplace and how to maintain it properly to help protect your employees.
Substitution of dangerous substances in the workplace
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) is running a Europe-wide campaign from 2018 to 2019 to promote the prevention of risks from dangerous substances in workplaces. The aim is to reduce the presence of and exposure to dangerous substances in workplaces by raising awareness of the risks and of effective ways of preventing them.
Factors influencing the implementation of RPE programmes in the workplace
This report sets out the findings from a qualitative study examining respiratory protective equipment (RPE) programmes across industry. Managerial decision-making was the focal point for this research given that decisions about RPE programmes rest with management. This cross-sector, exploratory study set out to address research on: what current RPE selection and use looks like; how this compare with ‘good practice’ and what factors influence choice and implementation of RPE programmes.
General Ventilation in the Workplace - HSG202
This guide defines general ventilation and gives information on fresh air requirements. It
also looks at the principles and use of general ventilation as a means of controlling exposure
to substances hazardous to health as required under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 19991 and the associated Approved Codes of Practice.
Is your mask protecting you? - INDG460
Your employer has to provide you with the right equipment to help you work safely.
Fit Testing Of Respiratory Protective Equipment Face-pieces (OC282-28)
This updated Operational Circular gives practical advice on the inspection of the suitability of RPE fit testing methods and the meaning of the results generated. The accompanying information document gives further more detailed information on fit testing.
Personal protective equipment at work Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
This guidance provides guidance on the steps to take to try to manage risks without resorting to personal protective equipment (PPE) which should be used as a last resort. It includes details of specific areas of risk and examples of the kind of PPE to consider using where the risk cannot be adequately controlled in other ways.
Reporting accidents and incidents at work RIDDOR - INDG453
A brief guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).
Respiratory protective equipment at work A practical guide - HSG53 (Fourth edition)
This book provides guidance on the selection and use of adequate and suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in the workplace, in order to comply with the law.
RPE - Employee Toolbox Talk PowerPoint Presentation
Why should I wear my mask - visual PowerPoint presentation.
Risk assessment A brief guide to controlling risks in the workplace - (INDG163 (rev4))
This leaflet is a guide for employers, managers and others with the responsibility of health & safety. It helps you decide whether you have covered all you need to to do and think about when considering whether you are taking reasonable steps to prevent your workers from health risks.
The health surveillance cycle
The pdf diagram provides an overview of the health surveillance cycle. The employer has a central role in every aspect with involvement from employees to ensure effective implementation.
Click to Download
Time to clear the air! (LEV) - INDG409
A workers’ pocket guide to local exhaust ventilation (LEV).
A Guide to The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
The purpose of this document is to describe the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), why it was developed, and how it relates to the sound management of chemicals.
British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS)
BOHS is a science-based, charitable body that provides information, expertise and guidance in the recognition, control and management of workplace health risks. BOHS is the only professional society representing qualified occupational hygienists in the UK, and has over 1800 members in 57 countries. BOHS is the only occupational hygiene organisation to be awarded a Royal Charter: this was granted in April 2013 in recognition of BOHS’ unique and pre-eminent role as the leading authority in occupational disease prevention. Click www.bohs.org/ to go to their website.
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
IOSH is the Chartered body and leading membership organisation for safety and health professionals. Click www.iosh.com/ to go to their website. Here you’ll find all the resources, training, guidance and support you need to make your workplace a safer and healthier place, wherever you are in the world.
Breathe Freely in Manufacturing
Breathe Freely is a BOHS initiative, aimed at reducing occupational lung disease in the UK, which causes significant debilitating ill-health and an estimated 13,000 deaths per year. Breathe Freely in Manufacturing provides lots of excellent tools, factsheets and guides on controlling exposures to occupational ling disease in manufacturing. The first campaign concentrates on welding fume.
Welding Fume Control Selector Tool
This web-tool is designed to complement the information on the Breathe Freely in Manufacturing webpages. It provides guidance on welding fume control for common welding tasks. A panel of experts from industry, consultancies, academia and the HSE formed a working group to create this web-tool in order to inform managers and supervisors of welders about the best welding fume controls available to protect their health.
Breathe Freely in Construction
Breathe Freely is a BOHS initiative, aimed at reducing occupational lung disease in the UK, which causes significant debilitating ill-health and an estimated 13,000 deaths per year. Breathe Freely in Construction provides lots of excellent tools, factsheets and guides on controlling exposures to occupational ling disease in construction. The campaign concentrates on construction dusts.
The Hi Standard - Health in Industry Management Standard
The HI standard is a simple self-assessment tool to help you to better manage workplace health risks. It will enable you to identify strengths and weaknesses, set priorities and develop action plans. This tool is for use by managers responsible for health and safety on construction sites. It can be used by companies of all sizes to assess how well they are preventing and controlling employees’ exposures to the risks from construction work that cause ill health and disease.
Chemical warehousing - The storage of packaged dangerous substances -
HSG71 (Fourth edition)
This Fourth edition book sets out control measures aimed at eliminating or reducing risks to people – at work or otherwise – from the storage of packaged dangerous goods. It reflects good practice for the design of new storage facilities (and where reasonably practicable, to existing sites) and applies to transit or distribution warehouses, open-air storage compounds, and facilities associated with a chemical production site or end user. Click image to view...
BOHS Good Practice Guidance & OH Services Buyers Guidance
BOHS, the Chartered Society for Worker Health Protection, has recently updated and published its best practice guidance for occupational hygiene consultants as well as its guide for companies wanting to obtain occupational hygiene services. Both guides are available free of charge, and aim to serve as the industry standard for competency in occupational hygiene consultancy services. Click the images to view both documents...
