HSE express a view that good practice would take precedence over compliance with workplace exposure levels when deciding on enforcement action. The logic is that good practice provides a sustainable degree of protection whereas compliance with exposure levels could be fortuitous.
Evidence from:
HSC/06/02 July 2006.
“Results of Consultation on Proposals for a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for Respirable Crystalline Silica”
This is a helpful clarification of the WEL regime which sets both exposure limits and good practice as the basis of enforcement action. Precedence is clearly given to good practice.
Further detail: