EMSAS - Safety & Environmental Consultants

Many substances have the potential to cause employee health problems in the workplace, including substances as simple as wood dust through to complex chemicals and biological agents. Various health problems can result from exposure, including respiratory disease and skin irritation which could be avoided with applied knowledge and good advice.

Measuring exposure to substances such as isocyanates, wood dust and lead provides information on which informed decisions can be made on the effectiveness of control measures such as Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE). Exposure measurement is typically carried out using personal sampling equipment but other tests such as fixed location sampling, swab sampling and the use of direct reading instruments in the appropriate circumstances all help in building the exposure model.

Our consultants individually all have at least ten years worth of knowledge and experience in a multitude of diverse environments from furniture factories to police firing ranges, from pharmaceutical manufacture to civil nuclear sites, from glass works to food and drink manufacture.

It is the consistent application of skill and experience to choose the appropriate method for the individual project which has led to our considerable reputation in this field.

Both the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (CoSHH) and the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) require that LEV systems are commissioned and then thoroughly examined and tested at least once every 14 months (and for some processes more frequently than this), to ensure that the LEV system initially, and in its subsequent operational life, controls exposure and therefore helps protect worker health. We implement a comprehensive testing regime for our Clients using the HSE's latest guidance, HSG 258 'Controlling airborne contaminants at work' to subjectively evaluate LEV system performance, often in conjunction with workplace air monitoring, and provide user-friendly reports with practical recommendations and importantly, post testing support.

(1) Source - HSE Guidance Note HSG 258, ISBN 9 780717 662982

The key to indoor air quality monitoring in such circumstances is a systematic approach. When undertaking such investigations for our Clients, HSE terms of reference such as HSG132 'How to deal with Sick Building Syndrome' are followed and Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) guidance is utilised for the measurement and evaluation of parameters such as temperature and relative humidity. The planning stage of the investigation may also identify the need for additional measurements of indoor air quality parameters linked with symptoms associated with this problem including the assessment of indoor micro-pollutants such as formaldehyde, bio-aerosols for potential mould and bacteria, swab sampling and monitoring for ultra-fine particles using state-of-the-art instrumentation.

Steps can then be taken by employers and building managers to rectify problems and provide much needed reassurance to staff and building occupants.

(2) Source - HSG132 'How to deal with Sick Building Syndrome'

The CoSHH Regulations outline a systematic approach to this issue. Information is firstly gathered on the substances in use and work practices employed followed by an evaluation of the risks to health. Following HSE guidance HSG97 'A step by step guide to COSHH assessment' in this way allows informed decision-making on whether existing controls and work practices are adequately controlling risk or where additional controls such as Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are required for safely working with the identified hazardous substances. Assessments are recorded in a proven, user-friendly format which easily leads to the compilation of work instruction systems for employees. This in turn leads to benefits in the prevention of occupational disease, improved workplace environments and also potential costs savings where unnecessary use of often expensive but harmful chemicals can be eliminated from manufacturing or other processes.

Please refer to our case studies in this area to see how we have again and again delivered workable solutions to our Clients in the field of CoSHH assessment.

We provide cost effective training solutions in 'tool-box talk' and other formats to provide your employees with the essential information they need to work safely with hazardous substances to help your business comply with relevant legislation and prevent ill-health in the workplace often caused by insufficient training.