Control
Occupational Exposure Monitoring
Measurement and assessment of worker exposure, including sampling and dosimetry.
Documents
- 2025Dec
The Offshore Health Risk Management Inspection Guide
An umbrella inspection guide for assessing offshore dutyholders’ occupational health and industrial hygiene management. It uses a Plan, Do, Check, Act framework to examine strategies, health risk assessments, competence, control effectiveness and review arrangements. Performance descriptors link compliance findings to enforcement expectations and inform future regulatory inspection priorities.
- 202513 Nov
Noise exposure standards guidance note
Guidance for offshore petroleum dutyholders on statutory noise exposure limits and reducing risks to ALARP. It explains ear-position measurement, instrument calibration, source reduction, hearing-protector selection and attenuation calculations, audiometric surveillance and reassessment. It also addresses enforcement and recommended acoustic benchmarks for accommodation and support areas on fixed and mobile facilities.
- 2025Nov
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
An offshore inspection guide for assessing dutyholders’ COSHH arrangements and legal compliance. It uses a Plan, Do, Check, Act framework to examine risk assessments, engineering controls, respirator fit testing, exposure monitoring and health surveillance. Performance descriptors link inspection findings to enforcement expectations and help prioritise future regulatory interventions.
- 202320 Sep
Ionising Radiation
An offshore inspection guide for assessing dutyholders’ management of ionising radiation under IRR17. It covers nucleonic gauges, naturally occurring radioactive material, industrial radiography and well logging, with checks on risk assessment, local rules, training and monitoring. Appendices link compliance criteria to performance ratings and enforcement expectations.
- 20238 Sep
Welding Hazard Alert
This alert addresses welding fume exposure in the oil and gas industry, including respiratory and neurological harm from toxic metals. It presents open-air manganese exposure findings and outlines employer and worker responsibilities for air sampling, local exhaust ventilation, training, respiratory protection and chromium-related medical examinations.
- 202316 Feb
LTI: Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning during Oxy-Acetylene brazing
A crew member suffered carbon monoxide poisoning while repairing a refrigeration valve using oxy-acetylene brazing. The flash identifies incomplete risk assessment, omitted exhaust ventilation and inconsistent mask requirements. Lessons address ventilation, exposure duration, air testing, conditional respirator use with personal CO monitoring, and further welding-hazard training.
- 2023Jan
Exposure to diacetyl vapour in food and drink manufacture
This safety alert addresses harmful diacetyl vapour exposure in food and drink manufacture, particularly coffee roasting and grinding and heated flavour mixtures. It sets out workplace exposure limits, risk assessment, sampling, substitution, temperature reduction, enclosure and extraction, with conditional respiratory protection and health surveillance. It also flags carbon monoxide in coffee processing.
- 2021
Asbestos - The Analysts' Guide
Guidance for asbestos analysts covering representative bulk and airborne sampling, microscopy, analytical quality assurance and independent four-stage clearance certification. It distinguishes fibre counting from asbestos identification and personal exposure from clearance results. Additional procedures address contaminated soils and made ground, respiratory protection, protective clothing, decontamination and analyst competence.
- 2021
Controlling noise at work
Guidance explains employer duties under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations and methods for assessing and reducing occupational sound exposure. It prioritises technical and organisational controls, covering quieter procurement, acoustic treatments, hearing-protector selection, noise measurement, exposure calculations and audiometric surveillance, with practical examples and questionnaires.
- 2020
Workplace exposure limits
EH40 sets out approved British workplace exposure limits and explains their application under COSHH. It covers time-weighted averages, short-term limits, personal and biological monitoring, dust and fibre measurement, and assessment of mixed exposures. Legally binding lists and calculation methods are distinguished from supporting guidance.
- 2019Mar
Hand-arm vibration
Guidance explains employers’ hand-arm vibration duties, exposure assessment and practical ways to reduce risk through process redesign, suitable tool selection and maintenance. It covers daily exposure calculations, vibration measurement, the limitations of anti-vibration gloves, and tiered health surveillance, including clinical assessment of HAVS and vibration-related carpal tunnel syndrome.
- 201811 May
Safety Alert 334 - Benzene Level Exceeds Exposure Limits
Two offshore production-platform inspections identified potential benzene exposure, inadequate emissions monitoring and shortcomings in worker information and safe work practices. The alert recommends considering improved procedures, exposure testing, communication and respiratory protection. It also presents exposure limits and acute and chronic health effects.
- 2018
Manganese Exposures During Welding and Hot Work Tasks Presentation
Presentation examining manganese exposure during welding and hot work, neurological health effects and the basis for occupational exposure limits. It compares inhalable and respirable sampling results across working conditions, discusses local exhaust ventilation and worker positioning, and presents respiratory protection choices alongside welder engagement and implementation strategies.
- 2018
Working with ionising radiation. Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017. Approved Code of Practice and guidance
Approved Code of Practice and accompanying guidance explain employers’ duties for work with ionising radiation under IRR17. The second edition addresses regulatory authorisation, radiation risk assessment, exposure restriction, designated areas and local rules, dosimetry, medical surveillance, contingency planning and radioactive-source management, incorporating amendments made by the medical-exposure regulations.
- 2016
Health and Safety Risks for Workers Involved in Manual Tank Gauging and Sampling at Oil and Gas Extraction Sites
Joint NIOSH–OSHA alert examines toxic hydrocarbon exposure, oxygen depletion and ignition hazards during manual gauging and sampling of production and flowback tanks. It reviews nine fatalities and field exposure measurements, explains filtering respirator limitations, and recommends closed sampling, atmospheric monitoring, exposure assessment, training and emergency arrangements.
- 2016
NIOSH-OSHA Hazard Alert: Health and Safety Risks for Workers Involved in Manual Tank Gauging and Sampling at Oil and Gas Extraction Sites
Joint NIOSH–OSHA alert examines hydrocarbon inhalation, oxygen deficiency and flammable atmospheres during manual tank gauging and sampling. It reviews nine fatalities and field exposure measurements, explains limitations of air-purifying respirators, and recommends closed sampling, exposure assessment, gas monitors, training and emergency arrangements.
- 2013Dec
Managing and working with asbestos
Approved Code of Practice and guidance accompanying the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. It addresses management in non-domestic premises and licensed and non-licensed asbestos work, covering assessment, planning, training, controlled wet stripping, respiratory protection, decontamination, clearance, exposure monitoring, medical surveillance and waste handling.
- 2013May
Respiratory protective equipment at work
Workplace guidance explains how to select respiratory protection matched to airborne hazards, exposure levels, wearers and tasks. It distinguishes filtering respirators from breathing apparatus, addresses protection factors, qualitative and quantitative fit testing, training, maintenance and breathing-air quality, and illustrates selection through three practical case studies.
- 2013
Control of substances hazardous to health (Sixth edition)
This sixth-edition Approved Code of Practice explains COSHH duties for preventing and controlling occupational exposure to hazardous substances, including biological agents. It addresses assessment of exposure routes, selection and maintenance of controls, respiratory protection, exposure monitoring, health surveillance, training and emergency arrangements, distinguishing statutory requirements from supporting guidance.
- 2011Jul
OCE16 - Bulk sampling
Guidance for offshore personnel collecting process-fluid, well-fluid and fuel samples under COSHH. It describes pressure-rated sampling cylinders, valve sequences, safe venting, protective gloves and spill management. Maintenance, personal benzene monitoring to establish control effectiveness, dermatitis checks, training and supervision support the recommended exposure controls.
- 2011Jul
ORE1 - Breaking containment: naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM)
Guidance for offshore dutyholders on removing naturally occurring radioactive materials from vessels and pipework when breaking containment. It addresses radiation hazards, area designation, local rules, monitoring, decontamination and protective equipment. It also covers waste disposal, worker fitness, training and supervision, including assessment after leaving opened equipment idle for at least four hours.
- 201113 Jun
Technical Report - Offshore petroleum facility accomodation
This informational technical report synthesises good practice for offshore petroleum living quarters. It addresses cabin layouts, privacy, communal spaces, acoustic insulation, vibration isolation, artificial lighting and indoor air quality. Recommendations cover design modelling, vendor specifications and commissioning checks, with application to new facilities and practicable improvements to existing accommodation.
- 2011Mar
OCE1 - Preparing surfaces for painting
Guidance for offshore surface preparation using wet and dry blasting and power tools. It addresses dust and hazardous coating constituents, specifies respiratory protection factors, and covers ventilation, equipment checks, exposure monitoring, cleaning and dermatitis surveillance. Ultra high-pressure jetting is excluded.
- 2011Mar
OCE12 - Breaking containment – hydrocarbon lines
This offshore COSHH information sheet describes exposure controls for opening hydrocarbon lines. It covers isolation verification, draining, purging, safe venting and gas testing, alongside benzene monitoring, respiratory protection and chemical-resistant clothing. Joint management, spill containment, personal decontamination, equipment maintenance and worker training are also addressed.
- 2011Mar
OCE13 - Breaking containment – process cleaning operations
Guidance for internal cleaning of offshore process plant addresses exposure to hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide, mercury and naturally occurring radioactive material. It describes isolation verification, draining, purging, gas testing, respiratory protection and exposure monitoring, alongside decontamination, waste handling, health surveillance and worker training.
- 2011Mar
OCE14 - Breaking containment – mercury
Information sheet addressing mercury exposure when opening offshore production systems containing crude, condensate or gas. It describes isolation, draining, purging, flushing, ventilation and mercury testing, alongside respiratory protection and protective clothing. Additional guidance covers mercury collection, equipment checks, airborne and biological monitoring, waste handling, decontamination and worker training.
- 2011Mar
OCE24 - Cementing
Guidance for offshore well cementing addresses exposure to cement dust, wet cement and additives. It covers chemical storage, job planning, equipment checks and pressure testing, alongside respiratory and skin protection. Cleaning, decontamination, personal air monitoring, dermatitis surveillance and worker training support the recommended exposure controls.
- 2011Mar
OCE25 - Well servicing – chemical injection
This offshore COSHH sheet addresses chemical injection during well servicing and coiled tubing operations. It describes chemical exposure and nitrogen hazards, with guidance on planning, protective equipment, line testing, exposure monitoring and dermatitis surveillance. It also covers spill handling, waste disposal, decontamination, training and supervision.
- 2011Mar
OCE3 - Painting by spraying
Guidance for offshore solvent-based paint mixing and spraying, excluding water-based paints. It addresses extracted habitats, clearance times, enclosed gun cleaning and air-fed respiratory protection. Measures include protective clothing and gloves, equipment examination, personal and biological exposure monitoring, and asthma and dermatitis surveillance, supported by training and supervision.
- 2011Mar
OCE7 - Pigging operations
This offshore guidance addresses exposure control during pigging, including benzene, hydrogen sulphide and radioactive residues. It describes receiver depressurisation and venting, gas monitoring, conditional respiratory protection, protective clothing and cleaning arrangements. Maintenance, personal exposure monitoring, dermatitis surveillance and worker training support the recommended controls.
- 2011Mar
OCE8 - Mixing of drilling muds (sack room)
Guidance for controlling chemical exposure during offshore drilling-mud mixing in sack rooms. It addresses substitution, enclosed hoppers, extracted sack opening, bulk transfer and conditional respiratory protection. Further measures cover extraction testing, personal air monitoring, cleaning, skin care, dermatitis surveillance, training and supervision.
- 2011Mar
OCE9 - Use of drilling muds (shale shaker and mud pit areas)
Guidance for offshore dutyholders on reducing exposure to drilling mud liquids, mists and vapours during handling, sampling and cleaning. It covers shaker enclosures, mud pit extraction, filtered protective cabins, respiratory and skin protection, ventilation testing, exposure monitoring and dermatitis surveillance. Mud making is excluded.
- 2011Mar
OCM6 - Exposure monitoring
Guidance for offshore dutyholders on assessing hazardous-substance exposure through personal air sampling and biological monitoring. It distinguishes background sampling from personal exposure measurement, explains interpretation of twelve-hour shifts, and specifies consultant reporting expectations. It also addresses informed consent for biological samples and conditional testing frequencies for gas or vapour alarms.
- 2010Mar
Whole-body vibration
Guidance explains whole-body vibration duties, exposure estimation and back-pain risk for vehicle drivers and machine operators. It covers representative vibration data, daily directional assessment, shocks and jolts, vehicle and seat maintenance, driver training and posture. Informal symptom monitoring is distinguished from formal health surveillance, which is considered inappropriate for whole-body vibration.
- 2009Nov
Health risk management - A practical guide for managers in small and medium-sized enterprises
Practical guidance for managers of small and medium-sized enterprises on identifying occupational health hazards, assessing risks, implementing controls and checking results. Case studies illustrate chemical exposure, noise, vibration and musculoskeletal problems. It discusses workforce involvement, health surveillance, exposure measurement, engineering controls and continuing improvement.
- 2009Sep
Management of occupational health risks in the offshore oil and gas industry
Guidance on preventing occupational ill health in offshore oil and gas work through systematic hazard identification, exposure assessment and control selection. It integrates health into installation safety management, addresses psychosocial pressures, and explains control hierarchies, exposure monitoring, health surveillance and continuing assessment review.
- 19986 May
Exposure to Noise
This safety alert introduces examples of noise exposure measured by an operator. The supplied extract establishes exposure measurement as its subject but does not include the examples themselves, measured sound levels, exposure durations, hearing effects or recommended protective measures.
- Undated
Hearing Protector Fit Testing: Ensuring Appropriate Noise Protection at Work
This advisory bulletin explains individual hearing protector fit testing using subjective and objective systems. It distinguishes personal attenuation ratings from laboratory noise reduction ratings, outlines equipment selection and testing limitations, and discusses coaching, retesting and suggested testing frequency. Fit testing is presented as best practice, not a federal OSHA noise-standard requirement.
- Undated
NIOSH Field Studies, Exposure Assessment, Silica Controls and Gauging and Thiefing
Presentation describing NIOSH field assessments of worker exposure in oil and gas extraction. It examines respirable silica during hydraulic fracturing, dust-source controls and mini-baghouse retrofits, alongside rapid hydrocarbon releases during tank gauging and sampling. Personal sampling, short-task exposure assessment, basin comparisons and closed or remote gauging controls are discussed.
- Undated
Silica Exposure during Hydraulic Fracturing
This information sheet explains respirable silica exposure during hydraulic fracturing, including dust released during sand handling and associated lung disease risks. It describes breathing-zone sampling, dust-reduction practices, equipment modifications, local exhaust ventilation and respiratory protection requirements, alongside hazard training and workers’ rights.
- Undated
Silica: OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert - Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing and Installation
Joint OSHA and NIOSH hazard alert examines respirable crystalline silica exposure during natural and engineered stone countertop manufacture, finishing and installation. It compares exposure findings by stone type and task, and explains wet methods, local exhaust ventilation, exposure assessment, respiratory protection and medical surveillance alongside applicable OSHA requirements.