Hygiene monitoring includes toxic substance monitoring and noise monitoring, and must be done by a competent person.
What is hygiene monitoring
Hygiene monitoring tests the workplace environment, and includes toxic substance monitoring and noise monitoring. Monitoring must be done by a competent person.
A competent person needs to complete the relevant WSQ certification, including the following:
- For noise monitoring, they should complete the Monitoring Noise and Vibration course.
- For toxic substance monitoring, they should complete the Measure Exposure and Assess the Risk due to Hazardous Substances course.
Relevant regulations:
What is monitoring
Monitoring helps you assess your workers’ level of exposure to hazards and how effective your hazard control measures are.
You should evaluate the results of workplace monitoring and take the necessary measures to safeguard your workers’ health. You should also inform employees of the results and keep a record.
Toxic substances monitoring
If your workplace uses or generates toxic substances, you must conduct regular toxic substances monitoring. The frequency of monitoring is dependent on the level of contaminant compared against the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) stated in the WSH (General Provision Regulations) First Schedule.
After conducting monitoring, you would have to submit a toxic substances monitoring report to MOM.
The recommended frequencies for monitoring are:
| Ratio (%) of concentration of contaminants compared to PEL |
Frequency of monitoring |
| < 10% PEL |
Once every 3 years. A re-assessment should be carried out earlier if there is any change in the process. |
| ≥10% to < 50% PEL |
At least once a year. |
| 50% to 100% PEL |
At least once every 6 months. |
| > 100% PEL |
At least once every 3 months, until the exposure is reduced to below the PEL by appropriate control measures. |
For details on monitoring requirements, refer to guidelines on sampling strategy and submission of toxic substances monitoring.
Noise monitoring
Noise monitoring involves:
- Workplace noise monitoring – testing noise levels throughout the workplace.
- Personal noise monitoring – testing noise levels that specific groups of workers are exposed to.
After conducting monitoring, you would have to submit a noise monitoring report to MOM.
When to do noise monitoring
| If you have |
You must |
| Fewer than 10 people in your workplace likely to be exposed to excessive noise |
- Conduct risk assessment to identify noisy processes or equipment.
- Conduct a baseline monitoring to ensure your workers are not exposed to excessive noise.
|
| 10 or more people in your workplace likely to be exposed to excessive noise |
- Engage a Noise Monitoring Officer (competent person) to conduct noise monitoring.
- Submit the results to MOM once every 3 years.
|
| 50 or more people in your workplace likely to be exposed to excessive noise |
- Appoint a Noise Control Officer to advise on all proper noise control measures.
|
For details on monitoring requirements, refer to the Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines.