How to minimise or prevent ozone exposure
Protecting workers from ozone exposure is vital. Prolonged and consistent exposure to ozone can cause asthma. So this begs the important question of how can employees protect their workers from suffering these symptoms and potentially life changing consequences?
Controlling exposure to occupational hazards is the fundamental method of ensuring employees are protected in the workplace. Engineering controls are designed to remove hazardous substances by placing a barrier between the worker and the hazard. Systems such as, Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems (LEVs) can be designed to capture and remove airborne emissions at the source, before they can be released into the atmosphere.
As stated by the Health and Safety Executive, the current workplace limit for exposure to ozone is 0.2ppm in air, averaged over a 15-minute period. Air monitoring is also essential to determine that LEVs are working appropriately and that levels of ozone within the workplace are within these required limits. Background level and on-person sampling can also help to determine the levels to which employees are being exposed in the workplace.
Using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as respiratory protection or air filtration masks should also be encouraged. Implementing these measures can provide firm assurances, to both employers and their employees that the most comprehensive protection mechanisms are in place, to limit exposure.
If COSHH is not properly managed, then employees are at risk of exposure and the dangerous effects this can cause. Improper assessments can lead to a loss in productivity due to illness as well as leave you liable to enforcement action including prosecution under the COSHH regulations.
