Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00412:body:0:p15
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00412
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 40315–43246

dust, chemicals or noise has occurred, and
    * 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. a reduction in or cessation of 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 biological monitoring to measure the level of lead in their blood.
Biological monitoring has the specific advantage of being able to take into account individual responses to particular hazardous chemicals. Individual responses are influenced by factors including size, fitness, personal hygiene, work practices, smoking and nutritional status.
A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure that where health monitoring must
be provided to a worker, the type of heath monitoring referred to in the WHS Regulations is provided unless:
    * an equal or better type of health monitoring is available, and
    * the use of that other type of monitoring is recommended by a registered medical practitioner with experience in health monitoring.
Health monitoring is not an alternative to implementing control measures. If the results indicate
that a worker is experiencing adverse health effects or signs of exposure to a hazardous chemical, the control measure must be reviewed and if necessary revised.

A person conducting a business or undertaking must:
    * inform workers and prospective workers about health monitoring requirements
    * ensure health monitoring is carried out by or under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner with experience in health monitoring
    * consult workers in relation to the selection of the registered medical practitioner
    * pay all expenses relating to health monitoring
    * provide certain information about a worker to the registered medical practitioner
    * take all reasonable steps to obtain a report from the registered medical practitioner as soon as practicable after the monitoring has been carried out
    * provide a copy of the report to the worker and the regulator if the report contains adverse test results or recommendations that remedial measures should be taken. Also provide the report to all other persons conducting a business or undertaking who have a duty to provide health monitoring for the worker
    * keep reports as confidential records for at least 30 years after the record is made (40 years for reports relating to asbestos exposure), and
    * not disclose the report to anyone without the worker's written consent unless required
      to under the WHS Regulations.
The WHS Regulations also contain specific requirements relating to health monitoring for lead.
If a worker is carrying out