Hygiene management has become a priority in the Australian workplace. No longer can businesses leave their workers – no matter how well-intentioned they may be – solely in charge of monitoring their own hygiene practices. Improper hygiene management is often the precursor to further serious workplace hazards.
In February 2015 the Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum’s Resources and Safety division released a risk-based hygiene management planning guideline outlining the requirements for health-risk assessments (HRAs) and risk-based exposure monitoring.
Key aspects of improving and maintaining high RBHMP standards:
Maps outlining the facility or operational layout.
Schematics of processes.
Building existing exposure data.
Recording key health and hygiene management system documents.
Details of any health surveillance monitoring programs in place (i.e. audiometry, biological monitoring).
A concise list of occupations employed on site – including key departments.
A list of all hazardous substances used – including access to all relevant safety data sheets.
Copy of risk assessments to reference health outcomes
Alongside proper CONTAM sampling undertaken by a registered surface ventilation technician or surface ventilation officer, you are well on your way to implementing a successful and sustainable exposure monitoring program.
As new details emerge in this continuously changing field of study, we will make sure to keep you up to date with all the news. Until then, for further reading we recommend the following references:
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