Exposure Risk Assessment

Science-led assessments that identify exposure risks and guide effective, real-world control strategies.

What Is an Exposure Risk Assessment?

An Exposure Risk Assessment identifies hazardous substances in the workplace or environment, evaluates the potential for worker or public exposure, and determines whether additional controls or monitoring are needed.

Assessments may be required for:

  • Construction and demolition sites

  • Hazardous materials removal or remediation

  • Contaminated land and industrial facilities

  • Workplaces handling chemicals, dust, vapours, or fibres

  • Legal compliance with SafeWork NSW or Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) obligations

We conduct exposure assessments that are compliant with:

  • NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017

  • Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace

  • NEPM (Assessment of Site Contamination, 2013)

  • Relevant Australian Exposure Standards (Workplace Exposure Limits – WELs)

Our Services – Clear, Risk-Based Exposure Assessment Solutions

1. Workplace Exposure Assessments (WHS Focused)

We assess airborne or physical exposures that may impact workers during normal operations, construction, or remediation.

Hazards we assess include:

  • Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)

  • Asbestos fibres (friable and non-friable)

  • Lead dust or fumes

  • Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM)

  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and soil vapours

  • Synthetic Mineral Fibres (SMF)

  • Acid gases, dusts, fumes, and particulates

Includes:

  • Task-based and full-shift personal exposure monitoring

  • Comparison with SafeWork Australia exposure standards

  • Sampling, lab analysis (via NATA-accredited labs), and reporting

  • Recommendations for control measures, PPE, and health surveillance

2. Environmental Exposure Risk (Contaminated Land & Development)

We assess the risk of human exposure to contaminants from land, water, or air — particularly during or after construction and site development.

This includes:

  • Exposure pathway analysis (e.g. ingestion, inhalation, dermal contact)

  • Conceptual Site Model (CSM) development

  • Risk characterisation based on NEPM (ASC) guidelines

  • Support for Remediation Action Plans (RAPs) or Human Health Risk Assessments (HHRAs)

  • Vapour intrusion risk and exposure modelling for soil gas and groundwater VOCs

3. Documentation & Regulator-Ready Reporting

All assessments include:

  • Site-specific risk characterisation

  • Sampling methodology and rationale

  • Chain of custody and laboratory results

  • Comparison to relevant WELs, NEPM HSLs, or EPA criteria

  • Recommendations for risk mitigation, ongoing monitoring, or remediation

Reports are suitable for submission to:

  • SafeWork NSW

  • NSW EPA and local councils

  • Planning certifiers

  • Auditors or legal advisors (e.g. for liability or due diligence)

Who We Work With

We support:

  • Builders and construction contractors

  • Asbestos and remediation firms

  • Industrial and manufacturing facilities

  • Developers and planners

  • Government agencies and councils

  • Environmental lawyers and auditors

Why Choose Confluence Environmental?

  • Qualified consultants with expertise in hazardous exposure and occupational hygiene

  • Air, soil, dust, vapour, and fume sampling via NATA-accredited labs

  • WHS, EPA, and NEPM-compliant risk assessments

  • Clear, actionable reporting and control advice

  • Trusted across NSW for responsive service and practical solutions

We help you understand the risks — and how to manage them, legally and effectively.

Where We Work

We provide exposure risk assessments throughout:

  • Greater Sydney

  • Central Coast

  • Newcastle & Lake Macquarie

  • Hunter Valley & Upper Hunter

  • South Coast, Mid North Coast, and regional NSW

Need expert advice?

Need to assess exposure risks on your site or project? We’ll help you understand your obligations — and manage risks before they escalate.

Call 0439 042 642 or drop us an enquiry below to speak with a specialist today.

A worker in Sydney NSW conducts fabrication welding, a common source of hazardous fumes necessary to monitor exposure

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Exposure Risk Assessment

Q: What is an exposure risk assessment?

An exposure risk assessment evaluates the potential for people (usually workers or site users) to be exposed to hazardous substances such as dust, vapours, fibres, gases, fumes, or contaminated soil and water. It identifies exposure pathways and compares results to regulatory health guidelines or workplace exposure limits (WELs).

These assessments help determine if risks are acceptable — and what controls or monitoring may be needed to reduce harm.

Q: When is an exposure risk assessment required?

You may need an exposure risk assessment when:

  • Workers are handling hazardous materials (e.g. asbestos, silica, lead, diesel fumes)

  • There is visible dust, odour, or health concern on site

  • You’re developing land with known or suspected contamination

  • Your WHS plan or remediation strategy requires a health-based risk assessment

  • A regulator or council has requested risk documentation

  • You're managing an incident, complaint, or insurance claim

Q: What substances can you assess for exposure risk?

We assess exposure to a wide range of hazardous agents, including:

  • Asbestos fibres (friable and non-friable)

  • Respirable crystalline silica (RCS)

  • Lead in dust or fumes

  • Diesel particulate matter (DPM)

  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hydrocarbon vapours

  • Pesticides and heavy metals in soil

  • Dust, gases, acid mist, and fumes

We use site-specific sampling and NATA-accredited lab analysis to confirm levels.

Q: Who sets the exposure limits in Australia?

Exposure limits (known as Workplace Exposure Standards) are set by Safe Work Australia and adopted under the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017. These define the maximum safe concentration of hazardous substances in the air over a working day or short-term period.

In contaminated land scenarios, we also reference NEPM (ASC 2013) health screening levels (HSLs) and relevant EPA or WHO guidelines.

Q: How do you measure worker exposure?

Worker exposure is typically measured using:

  • Personal air sampling (e.g. wearing a pump over a work shift)

  • Static monitoring near work areas or emission points

  • Field observations and task-based assessment

  • Laboratory analysis to quantify hazardous substances

This allows us to compare real-world exposures against legal limits and identify whether PPE, ventilation, or engineering controls are effective.

Q: What happens if exposure exceeds the legal limit?

If exposure levels exceed the Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) or regulatory threshold:

  • We’ll provide clear recommendations for immediate risk reduction

  • You may need to adjust your controls, PPE, or work methods

  • Health surveillance or additional air monitoring may be required

  • For land contamination, a Remediation Action Plan (RAP) or site restriction may be recommended

We guide you through every step to ensure compliance with SafeWork NSW, the NSW EPA, or planning authorities.