Occupational Hygienists in Queensland, Australia

Professionals specialising in airborne contaminant monitoring and exposure assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is air monitoring required during asbestos removal in Queensland?
Air monitoring is required for Class A (friable) asbestos removal in Queensland and across Australia, and is recommended for other higher-risk work. An occupational hygienist carries out control monitoring during the job and clearance monitoring afterwards to confirm fibre levels are below the exposure standard of 0.1 fibres per millilitre before an area is reoccupied. WHSQ sets out the monitoring obligations.
What qualifications should an occupational hygienist hold in Queensland?
Look for membership of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) and a laboratory accredited for the fibre-counting method they use. On Class A work in Queensland, clearance inspections and air monitoring must be carried out by a suitably licensed or competent person who is independent of the removalist.
What does an occupational hygienist do in asbestos work?
Their main job is measuring airborne asbestos fibre levels to make sure workers and nearby occupants are not being exposed beyond safe limits. The workplace exposure standard in both Australia and New Zealand is 0.1 fibres per millilitre of air, averaged over eight hours. A hygienist will run air monitoring before, during, and after removal work, then issue a clearance certificate once the area is safe to reoccupy. They also review the removalist's control measures and advise on safe work procedures.
When is air monitoring required during asbestos removal?
It is mandatory for all friable (Class A) removal in Australia and for all licensed removal work in New Zealand. For non-friable (Class B) work in Australia, it is required when a risk assessment suggests fibre levels could exceed the exposure standard. You also need monitoring before an enclosure is pulled down and before a clearance certificate can be signed off. The person doing the monitoring must be competent in the methods, which usually means a qualified hygienist using NATA-accredited (Australia) or IANZ-accredited (New Zealand) procedures.
What qualifications should an occupational hygienist hold?
In Australia, look for membership of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH). Full members have a relevant degree and demonstrated competence. Many also hold Certified Occupational Hygienist (COH) status through the AIOH certification scheme. In New Zealand, the NZ Occupational Hygiene Society (NZOHS) keeps a similar register. For asbestos air monitoring specifically, the hygienist or their lab should hold NATA accreditation (Australia) or IANZ accreditation (New Zealand) for the fibre counting methods they use.
AustraliaQueenslandOccupational Hygienists

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