Isocyanate Resins Exposure Monitoring- 22nd March 24 Isocyanate-based polymeric chemicals are used extensively in mining and construction to fill cavities and reinforce or stabilise strata in the underground environment. Methylene diphenyl isocyanate (MDI) is a common ingredient and is a known respiratory sensitiser and skin allergen which can be inhaled or absorbed through direct skin contact. RSHQ has been investigating the adequacy of current atmospheric and biological monitoring techniques.

Winner - 2023 AIOH Conference 3M Best Paper Award. This paper discusses the controversy over the use of the linear non-threshold (LNT) model and presents the case for the existence of a threshold of effect for both asbestos and crystalline silica. The existence of threshold affect does not support the suggested need to further reduce the current OELs for these substances and others. Presented by Ian Firth

The presentation by Dr Rebecca Newton, Manager, Chemicals, Occupational Hygiene and High Risk Work Policy, will cover the Safe Work Australia review of the Workplace Exposure Standards and the next steps.

This webinar will provide an update on the ISO Respiratory Protective Devices Standards, bringing this global Standard back to home. Standards are used to demonstrate conformance to local regulations / laws. There is a new set of globally harmonised standards for respiratory protective devices (RPD) that changes the focus from performance by design to performance required by the wearer. The work on these standards started more than 20 years ago; with several RPD standards already published.

The webinar will cover some of the new developments and some older concepts that are new to occupational health safety and hygiene that we can use when considering skin exposure in the workplace.

The Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) launched Breathe Freely Australia in 2018, which provides readily available information for workers and supervisors about the hazards of toxic dust and prevention of lung diseases in various industries. In 2020, the AIOH started the RESP-FIT program, which is relevant to those who rely on respirators as protection against harmful dust. As many lung diseases are serious and irreversible, the focus must be on prevention of harm. Workers in the manufactured stone sector rely on many control measures to protect them from lung diseases such as silicosis, with one of them being respiratory protection.

Lithium Batteries, Occupational Health and Hygiene Update Recorded: Friday June 9th 2023 from 12-1pm AEST

This webinar will look at virtual reality as a means of helping workers to see what they otherwise cannot.  Virtual reality is an administrative control, that can be used to provide a powerful message to workers to help them reduce their exposure by being able to understand where an unseen hazard exists.  We will look at a case study in an underground coal mine and how the training was developed, providing tips along the way of how this can be achieved.

This webinar will provide information regarding different surface sampling methods for metal contaminants in the workplace. The talk will cover some of the more common dermal sampling methods, with a focus on wipe sampling as well as discuss in detail health hazards of metals and how to interpret the sample results using various indices.

This webinar will address the variability of health hazards associated with the processing of engineered stone. The materials science of conventional benchtop engineered stone, new low-silica engineered stone products, as well as other construction materials, will be covered. The complexity of pathogenesis and implications of recent research will be explored. Some challenges, misconceptions and future research directions will be discussed.

This webinar will discuss the unusual characteristics of these chemicals, the most important exposure pathways relevant in workplaces and some of the controversy surrounding reference doses for protection of human health. Presented by Therese Manning - Principal, EnRiskS and AIOH President Kate Cole

COMED (Control Measures Efficiency Database) is a web-based tool which contains reliable, objective data on efficiency of exposure control measures.  It enables users to compare efficiencies of different control options and identify key performance characteristics.