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(1) The purpose of this procedure is to ensure the management of risks associated with occupational health and hygiene at Southern Cross University (SCU) are appropriately managed and controlled. (2) The purpose of this procedure is to ensure Southern Cross University’s management, employees, contractors, students, visitors and others are aware of the risks associated with occupational health and hygiene in the workplace, management strategies and to provide advice on appropriate controls. (3) All employees, students and others including both independent contractors and contractors under SCU control are to be made aware of and follow this procedure. (4) This Procedure applies to all SCU Work Units and sites. The procedure aligns with WHS legislation in the relevant jurisdictions SCU operates in. (5) The potential exposure of employees and students to occupational health and hygiene hazards is to be risk-assessed within all work units. Formal occupational hygiene evaluations shall be conducted where there is potential for acute or chronic health effects from exposure to chemical and physical agents. (6) An overall process of conducting an initial characterisation of occupational health hazards is to be conducted (see Appendix 1 for flowchart). This can be conducted using both qualitative and quantitative means to assess potential exposures and development of monitoring and control plans where required. (7) The initial characterisation aims to determine potential exposures to occupational health and hygiene hazards that require further monitoring and assessment due to the likelihood of adverse health effects. This involves a qualitative risk assessment, potentially including a walk-through of the workplace and preliminary measurement of exposure. (8) The assessment process will: (9) Potential occupational health hazards include: (10) A qualitative risk assessment shall determine: (11) Risk assessments may not be recorded where there is not perceived to be a benefit, as the potential for exposure is so low and infrequent. (12) The qualitative risk assessment will consider: (13) See Appendix 2 Qualitative Risk Rankings. (14) The qualitative risk assessment will be recorded in RiskWare. The document is to identify any relevant occupational hygiene monitoring reports or health monitoring results. The assessment will be reviewed every five years or when a change occurs prompting the need for a review. (15) Notification of risk assessments that determine a need for exposure monitoring or assessment will be made to the Work Unit Manager who will record the assessment in RiskWare and include it in the monitoring program. (16) Exposure assessments may be conducted using various techniques and over different time frames. Sampling methods include: (17) Time frames for sampling include: (18) Additional exposure assessments may be required due to: (19) A monitoring schedule will be produced from the information gained during the initial characterisation and risk assessment. The schedule will include: (20) Occupational hygiene reports prepared by SCU or external contractors should address the headings below: (21) Workplace exposure standards (WES) are defined for airborne contaminants and noise. The process for determining if exposure monitoring is required is outlined in this procedure. (22) Exposure standards for substances and mixtures must not be exceeded. Occupational exposure standards include: (23) The Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) recommends using the Quebec model to adjust for extended shift arrangements.TWA exposure standards must not be adjusted (increased) for shorter work shifts. (24) The Safe Work Australia document “Guidance on the Interpretation of Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants” should be consulted when interpreting exposure standards to determine if shift adjustment is appropriate for the substance being monitored. (25) The Peak limitations or short-term exposure limit exposure standards should not be adjusted. Where work shifts are longer than 8 hours, assessments of noise exposure (the measurement) must be normalised and adjusted as per AS:1269.1 (2005) to allow comparison with the LAeq,8h of 85 dB(A). (26) Where an Australian WES does not exist, guidance from other sources may be used. (27) The source of the alternative WES should be a recognised government or professional agency. (29) SCU must ensure that the noise a worker is exposed to at the workplace does not exceed the exposure standard. Audiometric testing is required for workers who are frequently required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect them from the risk of hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard. (30) The occupational exposure standard for noise is: (31) If hazardous noise is identified, then a noise assessment should be carried out unless the exposures can be reduced to below the standard immediately. (32) A noise assessment should: (33) Audiometric testing is required where a worker is frequently required by SCU to use personal protective equipment to protect the worker from the risk of hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard for noise. (34) Audiometric testing must be provided within 3 months of the worker commencing the work, and at least every 2 years. (35) The workplace exposure standard (WES) for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in Australia is 0.05mg/m3 (8 hour time weighted average) or adjusted WES for extended work for shifts. Air monitoring is required to determine the airborne concentration of a substance or mixture which has a WES if: (36) The exposure standard for asbestos is a respirable fibre level of 0.1 fibres/mL of air measured in a person’s breathing zone and expressed as a time weighted average fibre concentration calculated over an eight-hour working day. (37) SCU must ensure that the workplace exposure standard (WES) for asbestos is not exceeded at the workplace. (38) Where there is uncertainty as to whether the exposure standard is likely to be exceeded, air monitoring must be carried out by a competent person. A competent person may include a licensed asbestos assessor or a person who has undertaken the endorsed unit of competency for licensed asbestos assessors. An occupational hygienist who has experience in asbestos exposure monitoring may also undertake air monitoring (39) Refer to HRP 03 Asbestos Management Procedure (40) When occupational hygiene monitoring is conducted the method for measurement and analysis should be as stated in the relevant legislation or sourced from a recognised body. (41) Recognised monitoring methods and sources are included in the table below. (42) Occupational hygiene monitoring equipment will be maintained, serviced and calibrated as required by the manufacturer’s recommendations and the sampling methodology being applied. (43) When equipment is hired, a copy of the calibration documentation will be obtained. (44) Copies of calibration certificates will be included in the report as an attachment. (45) For hazardous chemicals, health monitoring must be provided to workers if there is a significant risk: (46) The need for health monitoring for workers at risk of exposure to asbestos should be determined on the basis of: (47) A copy of the report must be given, as soon as reasonably practicable after obtaining it from the medical practitioner to: (48) Reports must be kept as a confidential record for at least 40 years after the record is made and identified as a formal record for the particular worker. The report and results must not be disclosed to anyone without the worker’s written consent unless required under the Work Health and Safety Regulation. (49) Where workers are exposed, suspected of being exposed or are concerned about exposure to crystalline silica, SCU has a duty to arrange a health monitoring appointment for the worker(s) with the registered medical practitioner. Workers should undergo a medical examination annually. (50) The medical examination should include: (51) Reports must be kept as a confidential record for at least 30 years after the record is made and identified as a formal record for the particular worker. The report and results must not be disclosed to anyone without the worker’s written consent unless required under the Work Health and Safety Regulation. (52) Refer to WHS Responsibility and Accountability Statements. (53) The Vice Chancellor has the following WHS responsibilities: (54) Vice Presidents/Pro/Deputy Vice Chancellors have the following WHS responsibilities: (55) Heads of Work Units have the following WHS responsibilities: (56) Managers and Supervisors have the following WHS responsibilities: (57) All employees and others have the following WHS responsibilities: (58) All relevant documentation will be recorded and kept in accordance with WHS Legislation and other legislative obligations including: (59) This procedure will be reviewed as per nominated review dates or because of other events, such as: HRP09: Occupational Health and Hygiene
Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
Section 2 - Definitions
Top of Page
Section 3 - General Principles
Hazardous Occupational Hygiene Exposure Monitoring Program
Initial Characterisation for SCU Occupational Hygiene Monitoring Programs
Exposure Assessment
Additional Exposure Assessment
Workplace Exposure Standards
Airborne Contaminants
Alternative Exposure Standard
Noise
Audiometric Testing
Silica
Asbestos
Monitoring Methods
Occupational Monitoring Methods
Equipment
Health Monitoring
Asbestos
Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)
Section 4 - Roles and Responsibilities
SCU Vice Chancellor
Vice Presidents/Pro/Deputy Vice Chancellors
Head of Work Units
Managers and Supervisors
Employees and others
Top of PageSection 5 - Records of Documentation
Top of PageSection 6 - Revision and approval history
Top of PageSection 7 - References
Top of Page
Section 8 - Related Documents