JSP 375 Vol 2 

MoD Health & Safety Handbook 

16.7 

Sufficient general ventilation (also known as dilution ventilation).  This may include forced 

ventilation.  General ventilation dilutes the contaminant rather than removing it from near its source, 

so it can only be effective in controlling exposure if the contaminant is of low toxicity, and is present 

at low concentrations or if the emissions are not near people.  It may also be useful to  mop up  

contaminant which has escaped an LEV system.  It will not be effective in controlling exposure to 

more toxic substances because the worker will have been exposed to them before dilution takes 

place.  

Personnel related methods 

17  All personnel who may be exposed to substances hazardous to health should be provided with 

sufficient information, instruction and training about their work so that they can undertake it safely. 

Personnel related controls may be used in conjunction with process controls, to reduce exposure 

further.  These may include: 

17.1 

Reduction of numbers of employees exposed to contaminants from a process and 

exclusion of non essential access (e.g. welding, diptank areas). 

17.2 

Reduction in period of exposure (e.g. by job rotation). 

17.3 

Prohibition of smoking, eating, drinking, chewing gum in contaminated areas. 

17.4 

Provision of adequate facilities for washing, changing and storage of clothing, (including 

arrangements for laundering contaminated clothing)   and ensuring that personnel use them. 

17.5 

Good housekeeping is a cheap and cost effective method of helping in the control of 

exposure to hazardous substances.  This includes regular cleaning of spillages etc, so as to reduce 

airborne contamination from evaporating liquids or rising of dust from surfaces.  Dust free cleaning 

methods should be used, as at para 16.4.  Containers should be closed when not in use, brushes 

should be cleaned before storing them and contaminated rags should be kept in air tight 

containers. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

18  This should normally be regarded as a last resort (particularly in the case of carcinogens) for many 

reasons, but mainly because it does not prevent/reduce the spread of the contaminant and because 

people do not always choose/wear it correctly.  It may however be used as a temporary measure until 

engineering controls have been installed, during maintenance work or for entry to confined spaces.  

Types of PPE include protective gloves, goggles, visors, aprons, coveralls, wellington boots and 

respiratory protective equipment (RPE). 

Routine exposure monitoring 

19  This may be required if failure or deterioration of the control measures could result in a serious 

health effect, or to ensure that an OEL is not exceeded, or as an additional check on the effectiveness of 

control measures.  Any requirement for routine exposure monitoring will normally be included in the 

advice given by an occupational hygienist or environmental health officer. 

Health surveillance 

20  This may also be required in order to check whether personnel are being affected by exposure to 

hazardous substances (See Annex J). Advice on whether health surveillance is required should be 

obtained from an Occupational Health Adviser (doctor or nurse) or through a safety adviser.   

Leaflet 5 Annex G 

Page 4 

 April 

2003