Measurements of chemicals
We can help you measure the concentration of chemicals in the air at your workplace to check whether you are complying with exposure limits.
Have professional air measurements performed to objectively identify the chemical risk in your company.
Request more information.
Why choose to have chemicals measured?
- Objective chemical risk assessment
- Detailed reports in accordance with Belgian legislation and European standard NBN EN 689
- Assistance with chemical risk management
- Information and advice (chemical products, improving conditions, risk prevention)
- Concrete preventive measures
What are measurements of chemicals?
We measure the concentration of chemicals in the air at your workplace to check whether you are complying with exposure limits. You will then know exactly what your employees are exposed to. If necessary, you can take suitable preventive measures promptly to protect their health.
How does Mensura help in practice?
At your request, our Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology department will measure exposure to chemicals in your company.
We devise a suitable measurement strategy.
We perform air measurements at the workplace.
We have samples analysed by an approved laboratory.
We interpret the results in accordance with the Codex on Well-being at Work and European standard NBN EN 689.
We draw up a measurement report.
We suggest suitable solutions.
If necessary, we recommend periodic measurements.
The report was clear, and the expert was immediately available by phone to provide additional explanations.
Annelies Desender
Mowi
Frequently asked questions
When must you have a measurement performed?
To determine whether your employees are at real risk from contact with hazardous substances, you should start with a basic description of the situation. This involves answering three questions:
What chemicals do you use?
The Codex on Well-being at Work contains an overview of the legal limit values.What factors affect exposure?
Consider how often and for how long an employee works with the chemical, the procedures you follow, the temperature, the pressure and the use of personal or collective protective equipment.What is the estimated exposure?
Base your assessment on previous measurements, comparable situations, the literature or models.
With this information, you determine whether measurements are necessary.
Three scenarios are possible:
No exposure risk: the estimate is well below the limit value. Measurements aren’t necessary, but you remain vigilant.
There is an exposure risk: you take measures to reduce exposure and then have measurements carried out for verification.
Uncertainty: you don’t have a clear picture. Measurements are needed to determine whether the situation is safe.
How does a measurement process work?
You bring in an occupational hygiene risk prevention advisor. They will first divide up your employees into homogeneous exposure groups: groups of employees who do similar work and are therefore exposed to the same risks.
Based on this, the risk prevention advisor will draw up a measurement plan. This includes multiple measurements per job category, because a single measurement isn’t enough to obtain a reliable picture.
During work, the risk advisor performs personal air sampling in your employees’ breathing zones, using the method described in European standard NBN EN 689.
Afterwards, you will receive a measurement report with all the results. If this indicates that there is an exposure risk, the risk advisor will discuss the causes with you and you will receive specific recommendations on how to limit the exposure.
Do you need to keep repeating the measurements?
To continue to ensure your employees’ safety, it’s advisable to have new measurements performed regularly. Exposure risks can change due to factors such as changes to work processes, wear and tear of equipment or installations, or diminished ventilation system performance.
Standard NBN EN 689 determines whether you need a new measurement after 12, 18, 24, 30 or 36 months.
Measurements remain absolutely essential: they give an objective picture of chemical exposure. Your employees will quickly get used to certain conditions – such as the smell of paint – and will often experience no immediate symptoms. Despite this, there may be serious long-term effects. For example, prolonged exposure to high concentrations of fine quartz dust can be carcinogenic.
When must you have a measurement performed?
To determine whether your employees are at real risk from contact with hazardous substances, you should start with a basic description of the situation. This involves answering three questions:
What chemicals do you use?
The Codex on Well-being at Work contains an overview of the legal limit values.What factors affect exposure?
Consider how often and for how long an employee works with the chemical, the procedures you follow, the temperature, the pressure and the use of personal or collective protective equipment.What is the estimated exposure?
Base your assessment on previous measurements, comparable situations, the literature or models.
With this information, you determine whether measurements are necessary.
Three scenarios are possible:
No exposure risk: the estimate is well below the limit value. Measurements aren’t necessary, but you remain vigilant.
There is an exposure risk: you take measures to reduce exposure and then have measurements carried out for verification.
Uncertainty: you don’t have a clear picture. Measurements are needed to determine whether the situation is safe.
How does a measurement process work?
You bring in an occupational hygiene risk prevention advisor. They will first divide up your employees into homogeneous exposure groups: groups of employees who do similar work and are therefore exposed to the same risks.
Based on this, the risk prevention advisor will draw up a measurement plan. This includes multiple measurements per job category, because a single measurement isn’t enough to obtain a reliable picture.
During work, the risk advisor performs personal air sampling in your employees’ breathing zones, using the method described in European standard NBN EN 689.
Afterwards, you will receive a measurement report with all the results. If this indicates that there is an exposure risk, the risk advisor will discuss the causes with you and you will receive specific recommendations on how to limit the exposure.
Do you need to keep repeating the measurements?
To continue to ensure your employees’ safety, it’s advisable to have new measurements performed regularly. Exposure risks can change due to factors such as changes to work processes, wear and tear of equipment or installations, or diminished ventilation system performance.
Standard NBN EN 689 determines whether you need a new measurement after 12, 18, 24, 30 or 36 months.
Measurements remain absolutely essential: they give an objective picture of chemical exposure. Your employees will quickly get used to certain conditions – such as the smell of paint – and will often experience no immediate symptoms. Despite this, there may be serious long-term effects. For example, prolonged exposure to high concentrations of fine quartz dust can be carcinogenic.
Mensura helps you
Mensura offers a variety of products and services to boost well-being and health and safety in your organisation. From the legally required to the incredibly useful.