Chemical Exposure Monitoring: Turn CHRA Recommendations into Workplace Action

Translate CHRA recommendations into monitoring

A Johor case dated 26 August 2019 resulted in an RM8,000 fine for failure to conduct chemical exposure monitoring recommended by CHRA. The cover notice illustrates this straightforward but important gap between assessment and action.

In Perak on 19 August 2019, a concrete-block manufacturer was fined RM2,500 for failing to monitor mineral dust containing quartz/crystalline silica as recommended in its assessment dated 21 May 2018. The folder includes two copies of this case, consolidated here.

A further Perak case decided on 10 December 2024 resulted in separate RM3,000 fines for missing CHRA-recommended chemical monitoring and annual audiometric testing. Exposure programmes need to account for all relevant hazards.

Check the controls as well as the air

A Johor case dated 22 August 2019 resulted in RM24,000 across three offences, including monitoring related to n-hexane and chromium and examination of a local exhaust ventilation control system.

A Selangor fire-extinguisher manufacturing case decided on 11 November 2021 resulted in RM15,000 across three offences. These concerned professional engineering requirements for local exhaust ventilation design and approval, and annual chromium monitoring recommended by a 2018 CHRA. The same notice separately mentioned RM106,000 in compounds for seven unregistered pressure vessels; that was a distinct plant-compliance issue.

Connect exposure findings to health follow-up

The Kedah media statement dated 23 July 2018 described an iron manufacturer fined RM8,000 for failure to carry out chromium(III) exposure monitoring and another RM8,000 for failure to carry out medical surveillance.

A Perak case dated 4 January 2019 reported an RM4,500 fine for failure to provide medical removal protection following an occupational health doctor’s recommendation. This is a reminder that occupational-health recommendations also require a clear owner and timely follow-through.

Make sure the assessment and chemical information are sound

A DOSH chemical-management notice dated 17 March 2020 reported an RM5,000 fine where the assessment was not conducted by a registered assessor. An undated excerpt in the folder described an RM4,000 fine involving a Parit Buntar printing employer using thinner without CHRA.

A Selangor case decided on 13 December 2023 resulted in RM33,000 across four offences covering chemical inventory submission, classification records, the workplace register and CHRA. These upstream records help establish which substances and tasks the exposure programme needs to address.

Build a complete monitoring action plan

Review the CHRA findings and identify the substances, tasks and workers requiring monitoring.
Arrange suitable monitoring through the relevant competent service provider.
Track engineering-control examinations and resolve performance problems.
Review results with the appropriate assessor or occupational-health professional and complete recommended follow-up.
Keep chemical information, monitoring records and completed actions together for future review.

For official background, see DOSH chemical management information.

Source: DOSH/JKKP enforcement notices and supporting materials supplied in the corresponding topic folder. Repeated images of the same case are consolidated. Dates and fines describe the historical cases shown, rather than current maximum penalties.