OCC HYGIENE

News

TIME TO FOCUS ON OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE

Aug. 5 2020

As more workplaces return to full or partial operations following the coronavirus restrictions, Bureau Veritas is reminding employers of the importance of occupational hygiene. Employers have a duty of care to take all steps which are reasonably possible to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees. In many industries and for many work activities, this extends to specific legislation which is designed to protect employees.

However, occupational hygiene goes beyond simple compliance. By taking steps to assess and mitigate the risk to health and wellbeing of their employees, businesses can improve productivity, reduce workplace absence and demonstrate their commitment to safety – all vitally important as businesses seek to drive competitive advantage in the post COVID-19 era.

With the risk of litigation, financial penalties and reputational damage for non-compliance, not to mention the risk to employees, it has never been more important to invest in occupational hygiene services. 

Supporting occupational hygiene

As an independent, third party consultant, Bureau Veritas works in partnership with clients to manage the increasingly complex occupational hygiene requirements across their business.

We offer an experienced network of qualified, registered occupational hygiene consultants operating nationwide, delivering a wide range of expert, independent occupational hygiene services to help achieve and maintain safety in the workplace, whilst meeting the requirements of all relevant regulations.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • COSHH Workplace Exposure Monitoring (including inhalable and respirable dusts, welding fume, isocyanate/solvents, flour dust, silica dust, wood dust, diesel engine exhaust emissions, microbiological)
  • Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) Face Fit Testing
  • Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessments
  • Breathing Air Quality (Compressed Air) Assessments (to BS EN 12021 requirements)
  • Noise at Work Assessments
  • Vibration at Work Assessments
  • Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Testing including HEPA Filter Installation Leak Testing, Class I, II and III MSC Testing, Isolators, Downflow Booths)
  • Cleanrooms and Clean Air Device Validation (to ISO 14644 requirements)
  • Healthcare Ventilation Assessments including Ultra Clean Ventilation (UCV) canopy validation (to HTM 03-01 requirements)
  • Pharmaceutical Equipment Testing (ISPE Good Practice Guide)
  • COVID-19 assessments

Establishing a new normal

Joe Marais, Occupational Hygiene Manager for Bureau Veritas said: “We are working particularly closely with organisations throughout the manufacturing and logistics supply chains as they establish the ‘new normal’ following the challenges of recent months.

“Occupational hygiene is always important in these sectors, however with a greater focus on hygiene and safety due to coronavirus not to mention the resumption of HSE inspections we cannot stress the importance of maintaining best practice across the workplace.

“Our services help clients to recognise, evaluate and control workplace hazards, which may arise from physical, chemical or biological agents in the workplace environment. With proven solutions including training and toolbox talks from a trusted, global leader, you can have full confidence in achieving compliance and improving safety.”