COSHH legislation stipulates that biological monitoring should be routinely carried out on employees who are exposed to substances that have an Occupational Exposure Standard. These standards include working in environments where chemicals, metals and gases are present, or are a fundamental part of the manufacturing process.
There are many types of hazardous substances covered by COSHH legislation but just a few examples include Lead, Arsenic, Chrome, Nickel, Asbestos, Radiation Ionisation, Corrosive Chemicals and other substances hazardous to health.
Biological monitoring is an extremely useful tool in monitoring employee exposures based on urine, blood and breath measurements to assess exposure by inhalation, ingestion and absorption through the skin. Biological monitoring for workers significantly exposed to lead (as defined in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002) is compulsory. For all other substances biological monitoring is voluntary but it has roles under COSHH for Exposure Assessment (reg 10) and Health Surveillance (reg 11). Biological monitoring is particularly valuable where substances may be absorbed through the skin or where control of exposure relies on personal protective equipment. A further benefit is the ‘personal’ nature of biological monitoring: results can be used to give workers reassurance about their exposure and their risk of ill health.
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