Control banding

In the United Kingdom, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has developed a comprehensive control banding model known as Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Essentials. Below is an example of four control bands developed for inhalation hazards based on this method. ==RISKOFDERM==

RISKOFDERM was a project funded by the EU to develop a toolkit to assess the adequacy of control measures in place to protect against substances which could cause adverse dermal effects (i.e. irritation, burns, sensitization) The toolkit was published in a paper version by the Instituto Nacional de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo in Spain. It asks the user a series of questions regarding what substance is being used, how it is used, and what controls are already in place. The user's answers will generate recommendations that vary from taking no additional action to stopping work immediately until the exposure can be reduced. ==Respirable Crystalline Silica==

The OSHA regulations for respirable crystalline silica in construction utilize control banding to specify what controls employers must implement when working with materials that contain crystalline silica like concrete. For example, when working outdoors with jackhammers that provide a continuous stream or spray of water at the point of impact, employers are required to provide industrial respirators if the work will take place over more than 4 hours in a single shift. This qualitative method of implementing controls helps protect workers in environments that may vary day to day. == Biosafety Lab Levels ==

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have established Biosafety Label Levels as a set of precautions to utilize when working with biological agents. These precautions are stratified based on the potential for these agents to cause disease and offer a qualitative method of ensuring the safety of laboratory workers and minimize the potential for accidental release. Control banding is particular useful when working with biological agents in research environments where infectious dose may not be well defined. It also provides a standardized method of ensuring that a laboratory has appropriate controls in place prior to receiving authorization to begin new research projects. == Pharmaceuticals ==

The use of control banding strategies has become very popular in the pharmaceutical industry where early stage development compounds may have little or no toxicology data. One control banding scheme in the pharmaceutical industry is proposed by Dr. Bruce Naumann. It involves assigning a chemical a Merck Performance-Based Exposure Control Limit (PB-ECL) Category based on its toxicological properties and then based on that category using predetermined controls. Below is a table which compares portions of this method to the one proposed by COSHH. ==Limitations of Control Banding==

Control banding is not without limitations and still requires professional knowledge and experience to verify that the control measures specified have been properly installed, maintained, and used. Controls should be validated prior to use by either using substance specific industrial hygiene methods or performing surrogate monitoring. ==See also==