DOHSbase Consultancy

At DOHSBase, our seasoned occupational hygienists are dedicated to enhancing workplace safety through expert occupational hygiene consultancy services. Leveraging our in-depth knowledge of chemical substances and exposure assessment, we offer tailored solutions to meet your organization’s unique needs.

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Why Choose DOHSBase Consultancy?

At DOHSBase, our software is developed by a team of seasoned occupational hygienists who possess deep practical knowledge and years of field experience. Our expertise extends beyond software; we combine scientific knowledge, hands-on experience, and technical insight to assist you with complex issues related to hazardous substances and workplace safety.

The professionals behind DOHSBase have spent decades working at the intersection of toxicology, occupational hygiene, and regulatory science. Several members of our team have backgrounds in occupational medicine, analytical chemistry, and industrial hygiene practice. This breadth of expertise means we can address challenges from multiple angles – whether the question is about the toxicological basis for a limit value, the practical feasibility of a control measure, or the regulatory framework that applies in your jurisdiction.

Our Comprehensive Consultancy Services

As a DOHSBase user, you benefit from our dual expertise: we not only understand the software in detail but also comprehend the daily challenges faced by occupational hygienists and safety professionals. Below, we outline each of our core service areas in detail.

Exposure Limits and Measurement Methods

From identifying existing exposure limits to developing new parameters for specific substances, we help you find the right balance between legal obligations and practical applicability. Our work in this area includes:

Limit value research: We investigate and compile all available occupational exposure limits for a substance from international sources, including national OELs, health-based recommendations, REACH DNELs, and hazard-banding-based values. We then advise on which value is most appropriate for your situation based on the limit value hierarchy.
Measurement strategy design: We help you select the right measurement method from among the 5,500+ methods in DOHSBase and design a monitoring strategy that meets regulatory requirements while being practical and cost-effective.
Interpretation of results: When exposure measurement results are available, we assist with statistical interpretation, comparison against applicable limit values, and formulation of follow-up actions.

A typical project in this area might involve a pharmaceutical manufacturer introducing a new active ingredient into production. We research all available toxicological data, identify or derive an appropriate exposure limit, recommend a measurement method, and design a monitoring protocol – all before the first batch is produced.

Company-Specific Exposure Limits

When standard exposure limits are insufficient, we develop tailored values that align with your unique work processes, considering exposure scenarios and risk assessments specific to your situation. This service is relevant when:

A substance has no published OEL, and the kick-off value is either too conservative or not applicable to the specific exposure scenario
Your company uses a proprietary chemical mixture for which no standard limits exist
Regulatory authorities have requested that you establish a company-specific limit as part of a compliance action

Our approach combines toxicological evaluation, review of available dose-response data, application of appropriate uncertainty factors, and consideration of the technical feasibility of achieving the resulting limit. The outcome is a well-documented, defensible exposure limit that you can use in your risk assessments and present to regulatory inspectors with confidence.

Kick-Off Values for Non-Classified Substances

For substances without harmonized classification or labeling, we offer substantiated starting points, enabling you to work safely in the absence of official guidelines. The kick-off value methodology developed by DOHSBase is recognized by the Dutch Labour Inspectorate, but there are situations where additional analysis is needed:

The substance has limited toxicological data and may not fit neatly into standard hazard categories
The substance is a complex mixture with multiple components
Your organization requires a documented rationale that goes beyond the standard kick-off value assignment

In these cases, our consultants perform a targeted assessment, reviewing available safety data sheets, toxicological databases, and analogous substances to arrive at a justified exposure benchmark.

Self-Inspection of Hazardous Substances

Comprehensive guidance from A to Z:

Systematic inventory of all hazardous substances within your company, including raw materials, intermediates, products, cleaning agents, maintenance chemicals, and process-generated substances
Professional assessment of exposure levels and health risks, using both qualitative screening tools and quantitative measurement where needed
Advice on effective control measures according to occupational hygiene strategies, following the hierarchy of controls from elimination and substitution through engineering controls to personal protective equipment
Implementation of control systems for long-term safeguarding of results, including documentation, periodic review schedules, and key performance indicators

A self-inspection engagement typically begins with an on-site walkthrough to understand your processes and identify all points where workers may be exposed to hazardous substances. We then match each substance against the DOHSBase database, compile a prioritized risk register, and develop an action plan with clear timelines and responsibilities. For a mid-sized chemical production facility, this process can bring several hundred substances under structured management within a matter of weeks.

Customized Data Delivery

Specified data from DOHSBase for integration into:

Company-specific substance registers – we deliver structured datasets tailored to your internal format, including substance identity, hazard classifications, limit values, and measurement methods
EHS management systems – bulk data exports formatted for direct import into platforms such as SAP EHS, Enablon, or Intelex
Risk management software – data packages optimized for use in tools like Stoffenmanager, ECETOC TRA, or proprietary exposure models
Scientific publications and reports – curated data compilations with full source references for use in peer-reviewed articles, regulatory submissions, or internal technical reports

Data deliveries can be one-time or recurring, with update frequencies aligned to the DOHSBase release cycle or your own reporting calendar.

Sectors We Serve

Our consultants have hands-on experience in a wide range of industrial sectors:

Chemical manufacturing – from bulk chemicals to specialty formulations, including process-generated substances and intermediates
Pharmaceuticals – active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients, and cleaning validation for multi-product facilities
Food industry – processing aids, cleaning and disinfection agents, fumigants, and naturally occurring hazardous substances
Metal sector – welding fumes, metalworking fluids, surface treatment chemicals, and foundry emissions
Energy and utilities – combustion products, water treatment chemicals, and asbestos management in legacy infrastructure
Construction – silica dust, isocyanates, solvents, and other substances commonly encountered on building sites

Contact us for a non-binding conversation about your specific challenge

Proven Expertise

Our consultants have successfully completed numerous projects for occupational hygienists and companies across all of the sectors listed above. Our particular expertise lies in establishing and practically applying occupational exposure limits – the exact discipline that forms the foundation of the DOHSBase database itself.

Whether your challenge involves a single problematic substance, a facility-wide hazardous substance inventory, or a strategic question about chemical risk management across multiple sites, we bring the same depth of knowledge and practical focus to every engagement.