Exposure monitoring record redaction is the removal of personal data from the files an employer keeps under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). The Regulations require exposure monitoring and health surveillance for certain substances. anonym.plus marks each detail on your device, so the readings stay usable while the worker is shielded.
When this applies
A monitoring file links a worker to sampled levels and any health follow-up. You trim the identifiers before a copy goes to a rep or contractor.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the file in anonym.plus on your device.
- Local OCR reads scanned sampling pages.
- The tool flags the worker, the NI number, and conditions.
- Keep the sampled levels and the dates.
- Swap or black out the confirmed items.
- Save the clean copy locally.
What you need to provide
- The monitoring file (PDF, XLSX, or scan).
- An operator (Replace keeps the readings readable).
- Optional allow-list for sample IDs.
PII entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | Ivan Cole → [WORKER] |
| Health | MEDICAL_CONDITION | lead level note → [CONDITION] |
| NI number | UK_NINO | QQ 41 78 11 C → [NINO] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | DOB 1980 → [DOB] |
| Location | LOCATION | smelter bay → [AREA] |
| NHS Number | UK_NHS | 221 778 4410 → [NHS_NO] |
Compliance achieved
- Serves the assessment duty in COSHH 2002 reg. 6 and the monitoring duty in reg. 10, whose records run for at least 40 years where they represent the personal exposures of identifiable employees, and 5 years in any other case.
- Keeps the readings a reviewer tests against the workplace exposure limits HSE publishes in EH40/2005, plus the control and maintenance trail under reg. 7 and reg. 9, where local exhaust ventilation is thoroughly examined at least once every 14 months.
- Recognises the parallel schemes that can catch the same worker: health surveillance under reg. 11, medical surveillance under the Control of Lead at Work Regs 2002, and health records under the Control of Asbestos Regs 2012.
- Explains why such a file outlives the job: for long-latency disease the three-year clock in Limitation Act 1980 s.11 runs from the date of knowledge in s.14. Mask the shared copy rather than delete the record, and keep the work offline.
Anonymise exposure monitoring records offline — see plans & start free →
Limitations & cautions
Sampled levels plus an area and date can point to one worker in a small crew. The tool flags named items but cannot judge such overlap. Review small-group files yourself, and retain surveillance records as COSHH requires.
Frequently asked questions
Why keep these records under COSHH?
COSHH 2002 requires exposure and surveillance records to be kept for a set period. The tool flags identifiers so a shared copy guards co-workers while the readings remain.
Can I keep the sampled levels?
Yes. Allow-list sample IDs and levels so the data stays while worker identifiers are removed.
Is the file uploaded?
No. The app runs locally, so exposure data stays on your machine.