Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00419:body:0:p24
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00419
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 63424–66314

maintained to be in good working order and kept clean and hygienic. Some types
of personal protective equipment have a limited life span and need to be replaced periodically, while other types of personal protective equipment may become damaged or ineffective if stored incorrectly. For example, some respirators and filters can absorb toxins and contaminants in the
air when stored between uses. PPE should be stored in a clean environment to avoid contamination or damage or according to instructions provided by the manufacturer.

5.             HEALTH MONITORING

Health monitoring of a person means monitoring the person to identify changes in their health status because of exposure to certain substances. It involves the collection of data in order to evaluate the effects of exposure and to determine whether or not the absorbed dose is within safe levels. This allows decisions to be made about implementing ways to eliminate or minimise the worker's risk of exposure, for example reassigning a worker to other duties that involve less exposure or improving control measures.

Regulation 368: A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure health monitoring is provided to a worker carrying out work for the business or undertaking if:
    * the worker is carrying out ongoing work at a workplace using, handling, generating or storing hazardous chemicals and there is a significant risk to the worker's health because of exposure to a hazardous chemical referred to in Schedule 14, table 14.1 of the WHS Regulations; or
    * the person identifies that because of ongoing work carried out by a worker using, handling, generating or storing hazardous chemicals there is a significant risk that the worker will be exposed to a hazardous chemical (other than a hazardous chemical referred to in Schedule 14, table 14.1) and either:
  —    valid techniques are available to detect the effect on the worker's health; or
  —    a valid way of determining biological exposure to the hazardous chemical is available and it is uncertain, on reasonable grounds, whether the exposure to the hazardous chemical has resulted in the biological exposure standard being exceeded.
Health monitoring, which may include biological monitoring, can assist in:
    * establishing whether an identifiable disease or health effect known to be linked to exposure to dust, chemicals or noise has occurred
    * determining levels of toxic substances in the body so that informed decisions can be made about the effectiveness of control measures and whether any further action needs to be taken (e.g. eliminating or minimising exposure)
Biological monitoring is a way of assessing exposure to hazardous chemicals that may have been absorbed through the skin, ingested or inhaled, therefore, biological monitoring techniques should also be used. For example, workers exposed to lead may require