HSE Science and
Research Centre is the foremost laboratory for biological
monitoring of occupational exposure in the UK,
conducting extensive research as well as providing a comprehensive
analytical service. This means we have a wealth of experience of
using biological monitoring in assessing occupational exposure -
experience that we can use to help you understand your results and
to help you better control exposure in the workplace. We also
have access to other expertise such as occupational hygienists,
specialists in ventilation, personal protective equipment etc. in
order to give you the best advice.
We have been involved
in much of the biological monitoring sampling and data analysis
used to set UK biological guidance values. We are responsible for
producing and providing information sheets on these guidance
values. We also have representatives on international
standard setting bodies. As well as being involved in formal
guidance value setting, we also produce our own ninetieth
percentile (P90) values from our biological monitoring database.
These P90 values allow companies to benchmark themselves against
others in the UK using the same chemicals and to determine whether
their exposure control is meeting the "industry
standard".
We take the quality of analysis and
reporting seriously. We are an ISO:9001 accredited laboratory
and our most popular tests are ISO:17025
(UKAS) accredited. We participate in a number of external
quality assurance schemes such as G-EQUAS, RIQAS and UKNEQAS and
have internal quality control systems for all our assays. We are a
reference laboratory for MDA in urine for the G-EQUAS scheme and
have representation on the TEQAS/NEQAS steering committee.
However, the value of
analysis is not in the production of a high quality result but
understanding what that result means in terms of exposure
control. HSE Science and Research Centre include
interpretation as part of the analytical cost; we aim to put your
results into context and advise whether further action is
recommended. We can provide bespoke consultancy where
needed.