Lesson 1Planning an exposure assessment: objectives, task analysis, sampling strategy, statistical considerationsThis section describes planning an exposure assessment, including defining objectives, conducting task analysis, designing sampling strategies, addressing statistical power and uncertainty, and integrating results into ongoing exposure management programmes.
Defining scope, objectives, and endpointsTask and process mapping for exposuresDesigning personal and area sampling plansStatistical power, variability, and precisionIntegrating findings into control programsLesson 2Surface and dermal sampling: wipe sampling methods, surface sampling for oils/solvents, interpretationThis section covers surface and dermal sampling methods, including wipe sampling for metals and organics, surface sampling for oils and solvents, interpretation of results, and integration with skin protection and housekeeping programmes.
Selecting wipe materials and templatesWipe sampling for metals and organicsSurface sampling for oils and solventsInterpreting surface loading resultsLinking findings to dermal controlsLesson 3Biological and mould sampling: air impaction, spore trap (filtration) sampling, surface swabs, culturing vs microscopyThis section explains biological and mould sampling using air impaction, spore trap cassettes, surface swabs, and bulk samples, comparing culture-based and microscopic analysis, and outlining interpretation limits and reporting practices.
Selecting biological sampling objectivesAir impaction and spore trap samplingSurface swabs and bulk material samplesCulture-based versus microscopic analysisInterpreting results and reporting limitsLesson 4Sampling welding fumes and metal components: collection methods, analytical endpoints (Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni), chain of custodyThis section addresses sampling welding fumes and metals, covering filter selection, sampling positions, analytical endpoints for Fe, Mn, Cr, and Ni, chain of custody, and interpretation against occupational exposure limits.
Characterizing welding processes and consumablesSelecting filters and sampling train setupPositioning samplers in the breathing zoneAnalytical methods for Fe, Mn, Cr, NiChain of custody and data integrityLesson 5Air sampling for particulates and mists: personal vs area sampling, filter media, flow rates, sample durationThis section focuses on air sampling for particulates and mists, including personal versus area strategies, filter media selection, flow rate control, sample duration, and considerations for particle size fractions and gravimetric analysis.
Choosing personal versus area samplingSelecting filter media and cassettesSetting and verifying flow ratesDetermining sample duration and timingGravimetric analysis and size fractionsLesson 6Prioritisation of workers and tasks: criteria for selecting personnel for personal sampling (tasks with highest exposure potential)This section details how to prioritise workers and tasks for personal sampling by evaluating exposure potential, variability, and health risk, forming similar exposure groups, and documenting transparent selection criteria for defensible assessments.
Defining assessment goals and constraintsIdentifying high-exposure tasksForming similar exposure groups (SEGs)Selecting workers for personal samplingDocumenting selection criteria and rationaleLesson 7Instrument selection and calibration: manufacturer specs, calibration checks, maintenance logsThis section explains how to select and calibrate instruments based on manufacturer specifications, perform field calibration checks, maintain calibration and maintenance logs, and manage traceability to reference standards and quality systems.
Reviewing manufacturer specificationsChoosing instruments for contaminantsPrimary and secondary calibration methodsField calibration and bump checksCalibration records and maintenance logsLesson 8Noise assessment: sound level meters, dosimetry, measurement metrics (LAeq, Leq, Lpeak, dB(A), exchange rates)This section explains noise exposure assessment using sound level meters and dosimeters, including metric selection (LAeq, Leq, Lpeak, dB(A), exchange rate), task-based measurements, and comparison with regulatory criteria.
Selecting SLMs and noise dosimetersConfiguring weighting, exchange rate, and rangeTask-based and full-shift noise surveysCalculating LAeq, Leq, and Lpeak valuesComparing results to exposure criteriaLesson 9Volatile organic compounds and solvent sampling: active sampling with sorbent tubes, passive diffusive samplers, grab samplesThis section covers strategies for sampling VOCs and solvents using active sorbent tubes, passive diffusive samplers, and grab samples, including method selection, breakthrough control, storage, and interpretation of laboratory results.
Selecting target VOCs and sampling objectivesActive sampling with sorbent tubesPassive diffusive sampler deploymentGrab sampling for short-term peaksSample handling, storage, and transport
