Preliminary Occupational Hygiene Review
Concerned About Workplace Exposure Hazards but Unsure Where to Start?
Concerns about airborne dust, fumes, chemical gases and vapours, noise or other workplace exposure hazards can be difficult to evaluate.
Employers often request workplace air quality testing without knowing what needs to be measured or whether testing is necessary. Advice given before an expert has thoroughly reviewed the work may overlook important exposure hazards or lead to poorly targeted testing that doesn’t meet regulatory requirements.
WorkBright’s Preliminary Occupational Hygiene Review helps employers understand potential workplace exposure hazards, identify practical improvements and prioritize actions to better protect workers and address regulatory concerns. Led by a Registered Occupational Hygienist (ROH) or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), the review provides independent professional guidance to help focus resources on what matters most and avoid unnecessary or poorly targeted assessments.
What Is a Preliminary Occupational Hygiene Review?
A Preliminary Occupational Hygiene Review is a focused professional review of workplace exposure concerns led by a Registered Occupational Hygienist (ROH) or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH). It combines discussions with workplace representatives, review of relevant information and observation of work activities.
The review helps employers understand where attention is needed, what practical measures may reduce exposure and whether further investigation or monitoring is warranted. It is a standalone service and does not automatically lead to air sampling.
When Should You Consider a Preliminary Review?
A preliminary review may be appropriate when:
You’re unsure where to start.
Potential chemical, dust, noise, heat or other hazards exist, but you need help determining what to address first.
Concerns have been raised about exposure.
Employees or JHSC members have questions about workplace conditions and you need informed guidance on responding.
You’ve received a Ministry order.
You need to understand the occupational hygiene concerns, prioritize corrective action and respond within applicable deadlines.
You want to evaluate existing controls.
You are uncertain whether ventilation, respiratory protection or work practices are appropriate for the hazards present.
Without a clear understanding of the hazards, employers may spend money assessing the wrong exposures while important risks or control deficiencies remain unaddressed.
Our Approach: Four Steps to Understanding Your Workplace Exposure Concerns
Our preliminary reviews generally involve four steps:
1. Preliminary Meeting
We begin with a meeting to discuss work processes, equipment, tools, materials, the work environment and workers who may be exposed. This helps focus the review on the activities and concerns most relevant to your workplace.
2. Workplace Observation
An ROH or CIH visits your workplace to observe relevant work activities and review existing exposure controls. First-hand observation can reveal issues that may not be apparent from documents or telephone discussions, such as unsuitable respiratory protection, ineffective use of local exhaust ventilation, skin contact or work practices that increase exposure.
3. Written Summary and Recommendations
You receive a concise written summary of preliminary findings and prioritized recommendations. This gives your team a practical basis for improving controls, addressing potential regulatory concerns and deciding whether further assessment is needed.
4. Debrief Meeting
We meet with your team to explain the findings, answer questions and discuss recommended priorities, so you can act on the advice with a clear understanding of the next steps.
The review does not include air sampling or laboratory analysis and does not replace a comprehensive occupational hygiene assessment where one is required.
Need help identifying and prioritizing workplace exposure concerns?
Work with an experienced occupational hygienist to understand potential hazards, identify practical improvements and determine appropriate next steps.
Why Choose WorkBright?
WorkBright provides occupational hygiene and health and safety consulting services to employers throughout Southern Ontario.
Our team includes Registered Occupational Hygienists (ROH) and Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH) with experience evaluating workplace exposures in manufacturing, construction and other industrial environments. We have also assisted employers responding to occupational hygiene concerns raised by MLITSD inspectors.
We draw on workplace observations, applicable requirements and experience with comparable industrial processes to recommend proportionate, practical actions rather than assuming testing is always the answer.
They provided detailed insights and recommendations that significantly enhanced our understanding of the air quality at our site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of a Preliminary Occupational Hygiene Review?
Without a proper understanding of occupational hygiene, employers risk overlooking important hazards, investing in unnecessary testing or failing to address existing control deficiencies that may put workers at risk.
A Preliminary Occupational Hygiene Review provides access to an experienced ROH or CIH who reviews the work, identifies potential exposure concerns and recommends practical improvements. You’ll gain a clearer understanding of which hazards deserve attention, what actions to prioritize and whether further assessment is necessary. This helps focus resources where they matter most while supporting worker protection and regulatory compliance.
How long does a preliminary occupational hygiene review take?
The on-site workplace observation generally takes approximately 1–3 hours, depending on facility size and complexity. A preliminary meeting, written summary and debrief meeting are also included in the agreed scope.
Can a preliminary review help us respond to a Ministry of Labour order?
Yes. WorkBright has experience assisting Ontario employers with occupational hygiene orders issued by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD).
As part of the review, we examine the order, observe the work and, where appropriate, communicate directly with the Ministry inspector or occupational hygienist to clarify expectations and discuss an appropriate course of action.
Our goal is to help your company address the identified concerns efficiently, prioritize corrective actions and work toward resolving the order. Some orders require specific testing or corrective measures beyond the preliminary review, and employers remain responsible for meeting all requirements and deadlines.
Our JHSC has recommended workplace air quality testing. Can WorkBright help?
Yes. WorkBright can work with your Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) to better understand the concerns and determine an appropriate occupational hygiene approach.
As part of the Preliminary Occupational Hygiene Review, we meet with workplace representatives, review the relevant work activities and existing controls, and discuss our findings with the JHSC. This helps ensure the concerns are properly evaluated and that recommendations address the potential exposure hazards, which may or may not require air sampling.
How much does a preliminary occupational hygiene review cost?
Preliminary reviews start at $1,950 + HST for qualifying scopes. The final fee depends on workplace size, location, complexity and the concerns being reviewed. WorkBright confirms the scope, deliverables and fee before work begins.
Does the review confirm compliance with occupational exposure limits?
Not necessarily. Compliance determinations may require representative exposure monitoring or other appropriate evidence. The review helps identify potential gaps, opportunities to improve controls and whether further assessment is justified.
Get Started
If your workplace has potential occupational exposure concerns but you are unsure where to start, WorkBright can help.
Tell us about your workplace and the concerns you are trying to address. We will determine whether a Preliminary Occupational Hygiene Review is an appropriate starting point.
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