Should subcontract welders be included in exposure monitoring programmes?

Yes — absolutely. Exposure risk is linked to the task, not the employment contract.

If subcontract welders are working on your site, using your materials or working within your processes, they should be included in exposure monitoring and risk assessments. Under UK health and safety law, the duty to manage risk applies to anyone affected by the work activity.

Excluding subcontractors can create compliance gaps. It also undermines consistency in control measures and training.

In some cases, contractors may have their own monitoring data, but it should still be reviewed and verified as suitable for the specific environment and task being carried out.

A collaborative approach usually works best — clear communication, shared results, and agreed control measures.