Measuring exposure and checking for harm — without ever replacing your controls
Two different things sit behind the word “monitoring”. Exposure monitoring measures how much of a hazard — noise, dust, vibration, chemicals — workers are exposed to. Health monitoring checks whether a worker's health is being harmed by that exposure. Both must be done by suitably qualified people, the PCBU pays, and workers must give informed consent. Critically, monitoring is not a control — it never replaces eliminating or minimising exposure.
Exposure monitoring measures how much of a health hazard workers are being exposed to — for example noise, dust (including respirable crystalline silica), vibration, chemical vapours or fumes, and thermal stress. It includes air monitoring and biological exposure monitoring, which tests blood or urine for a substance or its by-product.
It should be done by a competent person such as an occupational hygienist, with invasive samples taken by a health practitioner, and results are compared against Workplace Exposure Standards. Monitor at appropriate intervals and whenever something changes that could affect exposure.
Health monitoring looks at whether a worker's health is being harmed by what they are exposed to — hearing tests for noise, lung-function tests for dust and fumes, skin and mole checks for UV and chemicals, and nerve checks for vibration. It should be carried out by suitably qualified health practitioners: an occupational health nurse can do initial screening, with referral to an occupational physician or experienced GP for diagnosis.
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| The right person | Health monitoring must be of a type recommended by an occupational health practitioner experienced in it, or set in a safe work instrument. |
| The business pays | The PCBU must pay all health monitoring costs. |
| Informed consent | Workers must give written informed consent; they can decline or withdraw at any time. |
| Access to results | Workers are entitled to their results, and to de-identified exposure monitoring results. |
This is the point that matters most: monitoring tells you whether your controls are working, but it does not protect anyone by itself. It never replaces the duty to eliminate or minimise exposure. If a worker declines health monitoring, work with them to address their concerns and consider other steps to manage the risk. Find qualified providers through the HASANZ register.
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Exposure monitoring measures how much of a hazard workers are exposed to, such as noise, dust or chemicals. Health monitoring checks whether a worker's health is actually being harmed by that exposure.
The PCBU. Under the regulations, the business must pay all health monitoring costs.
Yes. Workers must give written informed consent, and they can decline or change their mind at any time. If a worker declines, work with them on their concerns and consider other ways to manage the risk.
No. Monitoring is not a control. It tells you whether your controls are working, but it does not replace the duty to eliminate or minimise exposure.
Exposure monitoring by a competent person such as an occupational hygienist; health monitoring by suitably qualified health practitioners. The HASANZ register lists verified professionals.
