Exposure study
The Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E) carried out may reveal the need for specific additional inventories or in-depth investigations. For example, do you work with hazardous substances or could employees be exposed to biological agents, heavy physical load, vibrations or harmful noise? If so, this should be investigated further.
Hazardous substances, gases or vapours
The purpose of an exposure study is to determine concentrations of harmful substances to which employees are exposed. The exposure study may consist of a quantitatively based estimate of the exposure concentration or measurements. If exposure is determined by measurements, air measurements are taken in the breathing zone of employees, based on a predetermined sampling plan. These concentrations are compared with limit values set by the government. From this, it is concluded whether or not there are health risks.
Harmful noise
The most common complaints are hearing complaints due to excessive noise exposure. A sound meter is used to measure exposure to noise. It has been scientifically established that exposure to noise levels above 80dB(A) can cause damage to hearing. A noisy work situation is therefore an undesirable situation. The associated risks should be eliminated or reduced as much as possible.
Body vibrations
Vibrations of objects cause whole-body vibrations in people. A good example is vibration, which occurs when working with vehicles; the vibrations are usually transmitted to the driver via the seat and/or floor. Risks occur with high, prolonged, repeated and regular exposure to vibration levels, especially when accompanied by violent shocks. Adverse effects of prolonged exposure could include back disorders or even worse. Examples where these vibrations may occur include lift & reach trucks, bulldozers, trucks, cranes, helicopters, etc. Measurements are made with axial accelerometers in accordance with NEN ISO 2631. This equipment is wireless and switches on automatically as soon as the employee sits down on the meter and off again when he or she gets up from the chair.
Ergonomics & physical load
Octant's consultant (ergonomist) advises employers and employees on healthy and safe working conditions. As a result, physical complaints of employees and consequently high absenteeism due to illness are prevented as much as possible. We advise you and your colleagues on how to prevent physical over- and underloading by:
- eliminating physical strain
- improved organisation of work
- (re)designing the workplace, applying aids;
- advising on applying the correct working method;
- providing information to employees.