214 A proposed Asian occupational exposure limit framework

Abstract

Occupational exposure limits (OELs) are key tools in occupational hygiene to protect workers who may be exposed to health hazards in their workplace. Typically OELs are given a single value for 8 hr-TWA, 15 min STEL or Ceiling. Although it is suggested that these values are not the fine lines between safe and unsafe, they are generally perceived as the fine lines of whether it is acceptable in the fields. If a worker’s exposure exceeds the OELs, employers and employees hardly know how dangerous it is by simply comparing it with OELs. For example, if the exposure level is 1.2X OELs, the exposure numerically exceeds 20% above the OELs. However, it does not mean that it is dangerous as much of 20%. It would be very dangerous for certain chemicals but might not be so dangerous for others. Therefore, it should not be used by anyone untrained in the discipline of industrial hygiene. However, in many workplaces, like SMEs, accessibility to trained industrial hygienists is very limited. On the contrary, it increases the accessibility of self-measurement techniques such as sensors and direct reading instruments. In addition, it might be impractical to provide a single value as an OEL to different countries and/or regions and/or industries if economic feasibility considered. Thus, Asian Network of Occupational Hygiene (ANOH) developed a New Asian Occupational Exposure Limit Framework, which provide 3 levels; ideal, recommended and maximum for each health hazards. Background, Rationale and Development of ANOH-OEL Framework will be presented.