Air Monitoring
Air Monitoring
Initially a walkthrough inspection of the workplace is carried out to identify the potential hazardous materials or chemicals used, the potential routes of exposure and workers involved in the process along with observing procedures and the work being undertaken. This information provides the occupational hygienist to outline a suitable sampling strategy using the correct test method for air monitoring.
Hazardous Materials & Chemicals
Depending on the type of potential hazardous materials or chemicals which are present in the workplace will determine the method and type of measuring equipment to conduct air monitoring.
- Organic Compounds to AS 2986.2 Workplace air quality – sampling and analysis of volatiles organic compounds by solvent desorption / gas chromatography, Part 1: Pumped sampling method and Part2: Diffusive sampling method.
- Respirable Dust to AS 2985 Workplace atmospheres – Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of respirable dust
- Inhalable dust to AS 3640 Workplace atmospheres – Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust
- Asbestos Air Monitoring to Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Fibres 2nd Edition [NOHSC: 3003 (2005)]
The initial results of air monitoring will assist to:
- Identify base line levels of atmospheric contaminants as a result of processes undertaken in the workplace and identify key potential routes of exposure to workers;
- Evaluate the exposure of contaminants in the atmosphere to workers and consider controls to reduce the hazardous air contaminants; and
- Determine the effectiveness of control measures such as local exhaust ventilation to reduce or eliminate.
Regular air monitoring, at least annually assist to ensure that workers are protected effectively from health and safety risks that are not easily determined and generally understood without suitably trained occupational hygienists with calibrated scientific equipment.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
The majority of a workers time is spent indoor, so it is essential that the indoor environment and air quality provides a happy, healthy working environment. Air monitoring indoor air quality can provide information to ensure well being of indoor occupants including:
- Temperature;
- Humidity
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
- Ozone (O3)
- Biological Contaminants including mold & Legionella
Safe Environments is located in Sydney, NSW and Melbourne Victoria. For further information on air monitoring and occupational hygiene walkthrough surveys please email: info@safeenvironments.com.au or contact our Sydney or Melbourne office listed below.
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Sydney Phone 02 9624 2600 Unit 6 The Hub, 128 Station Road Seven Hills NSW 2147 |
Melbourne Phone 03 9604 0700 Level 7, 552 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 |
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Air Monitoring News
Welding Fume Exposure - 21 January 2012
The health effects of welding fume can vary considerably. This is due to the health effects being dependant on the particular metal, fluxes and cleaning agents that may be present within the welding process. State Workplace Health and Safety Regulations require the airborne concentration of welding fume does not exceed the exposure standard for each constituent of the welding fume by conducting air monitoring to AS 3640.
Hydrogen Gas Explosion Risk from Battery Charging Rooms - 10 July 2012
During battery charging, oxygen and hydrogen are released after a cell has achieved approximately 95 % of its charge, during boost charging or overcharging. The resultant risk is required to be assessed under Part 3.1 of the NSW Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2011.
Air Quality Testing for Compressed Air & Cylinders - 30 April 2012
Breathing air quality testing to AS 1715:2009 Appendix A for workers using compressed air line or cylinder respirators provides reassurance that the air they are breathing is adequately safe in their harsh working environments.
Flour Dust Air Monitoring - 10 April 2012
Flour dust exposure to bakers and millers may cause health effects to the respiraotry tract and may cause occuapational asthma. We discuss the flour dust exposure stadnards and sampling procedures. Flour Dust Exposure Monitoring >>>
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Sydney 02 9624 2600 Melbourne 03 9604 0700 |