An wide array of activities in the workplace can omit chemical waste in the environment, many of which can be very hazardous to health. The National Health and Safety Commission (Australia) estimated that about 2,300 workers die each year as a result of exposure to hazardous substances. Chemical testing for occupational health and safety (OH&S) is warranted to decrease the risk for harm.
Victoria's new Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 has come into effect. This legislative development(particularly Part 4.1 of the Act) emphasizes the need for identifying and mitigating hazardous substances. Laboratory testing is essential to hazard identification as per the legislative instrument. WorkSafe Victoria has put out a step by step guideline the management of chemicals in the workplace.
Contaminants in the workplace can result in a combination of acute or chronic health effects. Acute effects can include rash, coughing and watery eyes. Chronic effects may become onset with a gradual increase in symptoms, which may be irreversible in some cases. Contaminants in the workplace can be a serious OH&S issue.
Hazardous chemicals can cause injury to biological tissue, burning of skin and lungs, inflammation of skin or respiratory tract as well as other possible allergic reactions. Chemicals may be mutagenic, carcinogenic or teratogenic. These chemicals can be a the subject of poor OH&S performance ratings.
Identifying the presence of hazardous substances is essential to safeguard the health and safety of employees in the workplace. With correct identification, plans for clean up or remediation can be constructed for minimal health impact.
Air Tube and Indoor Air Quality Testing
ACS have the experience and ability to perform most air analysis using NIOSH, OSHA methods and US EPA methods. ACS covers a wide range of polar and non-polar analytes.
We can also customize analyses to meet your individual needs, such as:
- TVOCs
- Speciated VOCs
- Aldehydes and Ketones
- Diisocyanates
- Acrylates
- Alcohols
- Glycols
- Phenols
- Pesticides and Herbicides
- Polar Organics
- Mercaptans
- Sulphur compounds
- Acids
- Particulates
ACS uses instrumental analysis for majority of the work.