In this episode Peter Knott, occupational hygienist with GCG Consulting joins us to discuss real-time & video exposure monitoring.

Real-time monitoring, in essence, is collecting exposure samples over very brief periods. On their own, they provide indications of shortterm fluctuations in exposure and typically lack context. Since exposures to hazards are an event in time, workers may experience different concentration levels at different times. Video exposure monitoring synchronizes the real-time data with video recordings of workers and or environmental activities of what was going on at the time, providing an extra layer of meaning.

Guest Bio:

Peter Knott (pictured left) is a Certified Occupational Hygienist and has been a full member of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists since 1994. His experience spans a wide variety of industries having been employed in aluminium smelting and fabrication, power generation, mining and technology sectors in Australia and overseas. He currently provides consulting services in Occupational Hygiene to a range of clients in Australia and internationally.

Peter has represented industry bodies on Australian Standards committees for workplace atmospheres, respiratory protection and hearing protection. He has published or presented on a variety of topics such as exposure standards, biological monitoring, respiratory and hearing protection, diesel particulate matter, bioaerosol transmission and provided technical direction into the development of a recently patented aerosol monitoring instrument.

Peter has tertiary qualifications in Chemistry, Environmental Health and Epidemiology, and is currently a doctoral student in Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Newcastle.

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In this episode, Mark & Peter discuss the following:

• What is the difference between traditional exposure monitoring and real-time exposure monitoring?
• Can you measure the same type of contaminants using these instruments as you can with traditional exposure monitoring?
• What are the cons of real-time exposure monitoring?
• When would or should a workplace consider using real-time exposure monitoring?
• What is Video Exposure Monitoring (VEM)?
• How old is this technology?
• What are the pros and cons of VEM?
• What are some real-world examples where you have been involved in using real-time and video exposure monitoring?
• Where can workplaces or occupational hygienists go to get work information on direct and video exposure monitoring?

Exposure monitoring measures and evaluates whether workers are exposed to hazardous substances at harmful levels for their health. Traditional assessments have some limitations, including the instruments workers need to wear throughout their shift, and the time it takes to get results back from a laboratory. Real-time and video exposure monitoring techniques, however, provide immediate feedback. They demonstrate how worker exposures are linked to work activities, allowing for control recommendations based upon actual exposure sources. Tune in as we explore real-time and video exposure monitoring, and how they are used in the workplace to indicate how your control measures are tracking.

Additional Resources:

• Podcast Transcript
• Airmet & SKC Real Time Exposure Webinar Recording (YouTube)
• OSHA Direct Reading Video Exposure Monitoring (US)
• NIOSH EVADE Software
• NIOSH – How can health & safety professionals use EVADE software to assess worker exposure (You Tube)
• GCG Consulting

Contact a 3M Safety Specialist at scienceofsafetyanz@mmm.com for more information.