What do health and safety professionals need to know about diesel fumes?

Occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals are likely to be heavily involved with diesel exhaust emissions (DEEEs) exposure plans. They may be required to help implement a plan, liaise with an external provider who is implementing a plan or support with the maintenance of a DEEE exposure system that is already in place.

They will need to work with both managers and workers to help risk assess, implement controls, and eliminate/reduce DEEE exposures.

OSH professionals may be required to:

• consult with workers (on a regular basis)
• provide support with the organisational DEEE risk assessment
• support with identifying and implementing suitable controls by following the ‘hierarchy of control’ – for example, eliminating exposure, introducing reduction, engineering, administrative and suitable RPE controls
• support with the implementation or maintenance of the DEEE exposure plan
• routinely inspect known working tasks and activity areas that may be exposed to DEEEs
• check that workers are following and understand procedures and safe systems of work
• source and provide suitable DEEE information and training
• investigate incidents and exposures
• support with health monitoring/surveillance requirements
• support with evaluations and instate any learning lessons to prevent future DEEE exposure incidents.