Exposure Risk Assessment

What is exposure risk assessment?

Hazardous substance exposure monitoring measures the airborne concentration of airborne hazardous substances identified in your processes and COSHH assessment that workers may breathe in during normal operations. It quantifies real personal exposure so employers can judge whether existing controls are adequate.

IndustrialAirMonitoring.uk provides independent exposure risk assessment across manufacturing, construction, chemical, pharmaceutical, engineering sites throughout the UK. Our occupational hygienists deliver defensible exposure data that demonstrates compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) and the workplace exposure limits set out in HSE guidance note EH40.

Why exposure risk assessment matters

Under COSHH Regulation 10, employers must monitor exposure to hazardous substances where it is needed to protect health, where a workplace exposure limit could be exceeded, or where control measures need to be verified. Hazardous substance exposure monitoring provides the objective evidence that satisfies this duty.

Uncontrolled exposure to hazardous substance exposure is linked to the occupational illnesses associated with the substances assessed. Beyond the legal duty, robust monitoring protects your workforce, reduces the risk of enforcement action and civil claims, and gives insurers and clients confidence that exposure is being actively managed.

How we carry out exposure risk assessment

We measure exposure using qualitative risk evaluation validated by quantitative personal air sampling, following the recognised COSHH / BS EN 689 methodology. Personal samplers are worn in the breathing zone for a representative full shift to derive an 8-hour time-weighted average, while static (background) samples help map contaminant sources across the workplace.

Samples are analysed by an accredited laboratory and the results compared with the relevant occupational exposure limit. Where short-term peaks are a concern we add 15-minute short-term exposure limit (STEL) sampling, so both the chronic and acute risk picture is captured.

Standards, limits and reporting

Hazardous substance exposure is controlled to as low as is reasonably practicable, with sampling benchmarked against published occupational and in-house standards. We assess compliance using the BS EN 689 statistical decision framework, which accounts for exposure variability rather than relying on a single result.

Your report sets out the measured concentrations, the compliance position, the adequacy of existing controls such as local exhaust ventilation, and a recommended re-monitoring interval. It is written to be understood by managers and to satisfy HSE inspectors, auditors and insurers.

Our exposure risk assessment process

Our exposure risk assessment programmes follow a structured, four-stage workflow so the results stand up to scrutiny. Request monitoring or book a site assessment to begin.

1Scoping & site survey. We review your processes, COSHH assessments and previous exposure risk assessment data, then plan a representative sampling strategy using BS EN 689 similar exposure groups.
2On-site sampling. Qualified occupational hygienists carry out calibrated breathing-zone and static measurements across a representative shift, with full chain-of-custody documentation.
3Accredited analysis. Samples are analysed using the relevant MDHS / ISO laboratory method and the results are compared against the applicable workplace exposure limit.
4Reporting & recommendations. You receive a clear exposure report with compliance status, control recommendations and a re-monitoring interval — defensible evidence for HSE, insurers and auditors.

Frequently asked questions

How is exposure risk assessment different from a COSHH assessment?

A COSHH assessment identifies hazards and controls qualitatively; exposure risk assessment quantifies actual exposure by measurement to confirm those controls work.

Do you grade exposure risk?

Yes — we evaluate exposure against limits and indicate priority for action where results approach or exceed control values.

Will this update our COSHH assessments?

Our results feed directly into your COSHH assessments, providing measured data to support or revise them.