Isocyanates biological monitoring and health surveillance
Isocyanates biological monitoring and health surveillance
Health and safety law requires employers to implement both biological monitoring and health surveillance when workers remain exposed to isocyanate risks despite control measures. This is because control systems may fail even with proper maintenance and training.
Biological monitoring
Biological monitoring tells you whether your control measures are working effectively. Regular testing is your early warning system to protect your workers and your business.
This proactive approach determines whether control measures work effectively through regular urine testing at end of exposure. HSE recommends annual urine testing for spray painters (more frequently with half-mask breathing apparatus) as the most practical, cost-effective method of biological monitoring. High levels indicate ongoing exposure requiring immediate investigation and corrective action.
Many paint sprayers develop occupational asthma despite using air-fed breathing apparatus, making biological monitoring crucial for early detection before health problems develop.
Read HSE guidance on biological monitoring
Health surveillance
Health surveillance is reactive medical monitoring that involves detects early signs of occupational asthma and dermatitis through regular checks by competent occupational health professionals.
Health surveillance includes lung function tests, skin examinations, and assessment of work-related symptoms. Early detection enables prompt intervention and better health outcomes.
You will need to involve an occupational health professional who has the relevant competence, skills and experience for the health risks in your business.
Read HSE guidance on health surveillance
What is the difference between health surveillance and biological monitoring?
Health surveillance is reactive, detecting existing health issues requiring immediate action.
Biological monitoring is proactive, indicating control measures are failing before health issues develop.
Both systems are essential and complement each other to detect hazards early, but only biological monitoring will tell you if your control measures are actually working.
Legal requirements
Under Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations, employers must prevent or control worker exposure to isocyanates using effective control measures and safe working procedures.
Health surveillance is required under COSHH Regulation 11 when the risk for inhalation of isocyanates and skin contact is or may be present during paint spraying activities.
For exposure monitoring, COSHH Regulation 10 requires that exposure of employees to substances hazardous to health is monitored in accordance with a suitable procedure. While biological monitoring (urine testing) is not explicitly mandated in COSHH, it is the most practicable and cost-effective monitoring procedure to monitor exposure in the workplace.
What should you do if there is a problem?
If biological monitoring reveals elevated levels of exposure, immediately investigate control failures, take corrective action, then retest.
If your health surveillance identifies health issues related to isocyanates, remove the affected worker from exposure risk immediately, review risk assessments and control measures, and modify work practices.