(1) This Procedure aims to ensure Southern Cross University (SCU) management, employees, students, and others know the risks associated with occupational health and hygiene in the workplace and relevant management strategies for the risk mitigation process. (2) All employees, students, and others must follow this Procedure. (3) This Procedure applies to all SCU Work Units and sites. (4) 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 are potential acute or chronic health effects from chemical and physical agent exposure. (5) An overall process of the initial characterisation of occupational health hazards will be conducted (see Occupational Health and Hygiene Monitoring Program Overview flowchart). This can be performed using qualitative and quantitative means to assess potential exposures and develop monitoring and control plans where required. (6) Initial Characterisation for SCU Occupational Hygiene Monitoring Programs. (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 workplace walk-through and preliminary exposure measurement. (8) The assessment process will: (9) Potential occupational health hazards include: (10) A qualitative risk assessment shall determine similar exposure groups (SEGS) where no further action is required. This may include the following. (11) A qualitative risk assessment shall determine similar exposure groups (SEGS) that require further review and monitoring. This may include the following: (12) A qualitative risk assessment shall determine similar exposure groups (SEGS) that require immediate controls for unacceptable occupational exposures. This will include: (13) The qualitative risk assessment will also consider: (14) See the Occupational Health and Hygiene Qualitative Risk Rankings table. (15) The assessment will be reviewed every five years or when a change occurs, prompting the need for a review. (16) 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. (17) Notification of risk assessments that determine a need for exposure monitoring or health assessment will be made to the Work Unit Manager and included in the monitoring programs. (18) Exposure assessments may be conducted using various techniques and over different time frames. Sampling methods include: (19) Time frames for sampling include: (20) Additional exposure assessments may be required due to: (21) A monitoring schedule will be produced from the information gained during the initial characterisation and risk assessment. The schedule will include: (22) Occupational hygiene reports prepared by SCU or external contractors should address the headings below: (23) Introduction (24) Monitoring Methods and Equipment: (25) Analysis Method: method and technical standard: (26) Results and discussion: (27) Conclusions and recommendations: (28) 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. (29) Exposure standards for substances and mixtures must not be exceeded. Occupational exposure standards include: (30) 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. (31) 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 monitored substance. (32) 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). (33) Where an Australian WES does not exist, guidance from other sources may be used. (34) The source of the alternative WES should be a recognised government or professional agency. (35) Sources may include: (36) 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 frequently require personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect them from the risk of hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard. (37) The occupational exposure standard for noise is: (38) If hazardous noise is identified, a noise assessment should be carried out unless the exposures can be immediately reduced to below the standard. (39) A noise assessment should: (40) Audiometric testing is required where SCU frequently requires a worker to use personal protective equipment to protect the worker from the risk of hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard. (41) Audiometric testing must be provided within 3 months of the worker commencing the work and at least every 2 years. (42) 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 that has a WES if: (43) 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. (44) SCU must ensure that the workplace exposure standard (WES) for asbestos is not exceeded. (45) 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 someone 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 (46) Refer to HRP03: Asbestos Management procedure. (47) When conducting occupational hygiene monitoring, the measurement and analysis method should be as stated in the relevant legislation or sourced from a recognised body. (48) Recognised monitoring methods and sources are included in the table below. (49) Occupational hygiene monitoring equipment will be maintained, serviced, and calibrated as required by the manufacturer's recommendations and the sampling methodology being applied. (50) When equipment is hired, a copy of the calibration documentation will be obtained. (51) Copies of calibration certificates will be attached to the report. (52) For hazardous chemicals, health monitoring must be provided to workers if there is a significant risk: (53) The need for health monitoring for workers at risk of asbestos exposure should be determined based on: (54) A copy of the report must be given as soon as reasonably practicable after obtaining it from the medical practitioner to: (55) Reports must be kept confidential 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. (56) Where workers are exposed, suspected of being exposed, or concerned about exposure to crystalline silica, SCU must arrange a health monitoring appointment with the registered medical practitioner for the worker(s). (57) The medical examination should include: (58) Reports must be kept confidential 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. (59) Refer to WHSMP13: Responsibility and Accountability Statement. (60) All relevant documentation will be recorded and kept following WHS Legislation and other legislative obligations, including: (61) 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
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
Section 5 - Records of Documentation
Top of PageSection 6 - Revision and approval history
Top of PageSection 7 - References
Top of Page
Section 8 - Related Documents
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Airborne Contaminant
A contaminant in the form of a fume, mist, gas, vapour, or dust includes microorganisms.
Breathing zone
A hemisphere of a 300 mm radius extending in front of a person's face is measured from the midpoint of an imaginary line joining the ears.
Workplace Exposure Standard (WES)
Represents the concentration of a particular hazard that must not be exceeded.
Similar Exposure Group (SEG)
A group of workers is expected to have the same exposure to a physical or chemical hazard.
Occupational Hygiene
It is the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of exposure to occupational hygiene hazards. Occupational hygiene uses a combination of science, engineering, and professional judgement in the process.
Qualitative Exposure Assessment
Evaluation of potential personal exposure based on personal experience and professional judgment.
Quantitative Exposure Assessment
Evaluation of actual personal exposure data using accepted numerical and mathematical analysis.
Route of Exposure
The route through which exposure occurs, such as ingestion or inhalation.
Peak Limitation
Means a maximum or peak airborne concentration of a substance determined over the shortest analytically practicable period, which does not exceed 15 minutes.
Short-term exposure limit (STEL)
Means the time-weighted average maximum airborne concentration of a substance when calculated over 15 minutes.
Eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA)
Means the maximum average airborne concentration of a substance when calculated over an eight-hour working day for a five-day working week.
Personal Monitoring
Measuring an individual's exposure using a valid monitoring technique.
Environmental Measurement
Measurements within the workplace should be taken using a suitable sampling device or instrument.
Static/Para Occupational Measurements
Taking samples or measurements within the working environment to determine potential exposure, not actual exposure.
Occupational Hygiene Hazard
Source for Monitoring Method.
Occupational Noise
AS/NZS 1269.1:2005 Occupational noise management – Measurement and assessment of noise emission and exposure.
Whole Body Vibration
AS/NZS 2670.1:2001Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration.
Inhalable Dust
AS 3640:2009 Workplace atmospheres – Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust.
Respirable Dust
AS 2985:2009 Workplace atmospheres – Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of respirable dust.
Various Airborne Chemical Hazards
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Sampling and analytical Methods.
Various Airborne Chemical Hazards
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Manual of Analytical Methods 4th Edition.
Asbestos Fibre
Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Fibres 2nd Edition [NOHSC:3003(2005)] .
Work Health and Safety Act (in the applicable jurisdiction that SCU operates)
Work Health and Safety Regulation (in the applicable jurisdiction that SCU operates)
AS/NZS 1269.1:2005 Occupational noise management – Measurement and assessment of noise emission and exposure
AS/NZS 2670.1:2001Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration
AS 3640:2009 Workplace atmospheres – Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust
AS 2985:2009 Workplace atmospheres – Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of respirable dust
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Manual of Analytical Methods 4th Edition
Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Fibres 2nd Edition [NOHSC:3003(2005)]
Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice 2021
Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice 2022 (NSW)
Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice 2021 (Qld)
Safe Work Australia Workplace Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants Guidance Material
Safe Work Australia Working with crystalline silica and crystalline silica-containing products Guidance Material