Static Air Monitoring

What is static air monitoring?

Background airborne contaminants monitoring measures the airborne concentration of dusts, fumes and gases measured at fixed positions across a workplace 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 static air monitoring across manufacturing, warehousing, process plants, laboratories 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 static air monitoring 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. Background airborne contaminants monitoring provides the objective evidence that satisfies this duty.

Uncontrolled exposure to background airborne contaminants is linked to elevated background exposure that can affect all occupants of an area. 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 static air monitoring

We measure exposure using fixed-position sampling pumps and direct-reading monitors placed to characterise an area, following the recognised MDHS / ISO 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

Background airborne contaminants 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 static air monitoring process

Our static air monitoring 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 static air monitoring 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

When is static monitoring used?

To locate emission sources, measure background levels, check clean areas and confirm that engineering controls such as LEV are performing.

Does static monitoring replace personal sampling?

No — compliance with workplace exposure limits is judged on personal samples. Static monitoring is a complementary diagnostic tool.

Can you combine both?

Yes, we routinely run personal and static sampling together to give a complete exposure and source picture.