Top tips for employers to comply with workplace exposure limits:
- Use a risk management approach
You must eliminate or minimise airborne contaminants in the workplace so far as is reasonably practicable. - Prioritise higher level controls
You can eliminate the risk of airborne contaminants by removing the processes or materials that are creating the hazardous substance in the first place. - Review safety data sheets (SDS)
Reading, understanding and following the information and instructions in an SDS is important for using hazardous chemicals safely in the workplace. - Organise regular air monitoring
You must conduct air monitoring if you are not certain if the concentration of a substance exceeds the limits, or if it’s necessary to find out if there is a risk to health. Air monitoring should be conducted by a competent person, such as an occupational hygienist. - Ensure appropriate RPE/PPE is available if needed
You must also provide training on using and maintaining personal and respiratory protective equipment and make sure your workers are using it correctly.