Health Surveillance
Health surveillance is a system of ongoing health checks for employees exposed to hazards in their workplace. These health checks may be required by law for employees who are exposed to noise or vibration, solvents, fumes or dust.
Relevant Legislation
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people’s health at risk, causing diseases including asthma, dermatitis or cancer. The COSHH regulations require employers to control substances that can harm workers’ health.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005) require employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety form exposure to noise at work.
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations (2005) requires employers to control risks to health and safety from exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV).
Health surveillance can sometimes be used to help identify where more needs to be done to control risks and where early signs of work-related ill health are detected, employers should take action to prevent further harm and protect employees.
The objectives for health surveillance are:
- Protecting the health of employees by early detection of adverse changes or disease;
- Collecting data for detecting or evaluating health hazards;
- Evaluating control measures;
A.B. Health Ltd provide the following services to help safeguard the health of employees:
Respiratory Function Testing (Spirometry)
Respiratory sensitisers are substances which have the potential to cause sensitisation (allergy) such as rhinitis and occupational asthma.
Biological Monitoring – Urine Testing
Biological monitoring can be used to indicate how much of a chemical has entered the body. It involves measuring the chemical an employee is exposed to at work (or what it breaks down into). Biological monitoring is often used together with air monitoring. Biological monitoring is especially useful when there is likely significant absorption through the skin; and control of exposure depends on personal protective equipment. This test can easily be carried out on your site in conjunction with skin and respiratory surveillance.
Skin Assessment
Occupational skin disease is a common health problem. Repeated skin irritation of skin sensitisation can lead to dermatitis. If detected early enough and worker’s exposure to the trigger substances are reduced, dermatitis may be cured or less severe. Left untreated it may become irreversible and even a small exposure may trigger a bad reaction.
Audiometry (Hearing Tests)
Occupational audiometry is a screening technique used to detect early damage to hearing from exposure to noise. Identifying any damage early allows for remedial action in the workplace and if necessary, a medical referral. The Regulations require an employer to carry out health surveillance where there is a risk to health. (Daily or weekly exposure of 85dB).
Monitoring audiometry is only of value if it is carried out under appropriate conditions and to high technical standards. This is why A.B. Health Ltd only test in areas where acceptable environmental noise levels can be achieved. These levels are usually only met in industry by using a sound-attenuating booth. All testing is done in conjunction with guidelines (EN 26189 criteria in test rooms). If you have a booth and audiometer and require the services of a skilled advisor, A.B. Health Ltd will be able to run and monitor an audiometric health surveillance programme for you.
Hand – Arm Vibration Assessments
Regulation 7 of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, requires employers to provide suitable health surveillance where the risk assessment indicates a risk to workers’ health. I.E workers likely to be exposed in excess of the daily exposure action value of 2.5 m/s2 A(8).
A.B Health Ltd conduct a tiered approach to health surveillance for the clinical assessment and diagnosis of HAVs:
- Tier 1 Initial or baseline assessment – Questionnaire administered by an Occupational Health Advisor
- Tier 2 Annual (screening)
- Tier 3 Assessment & Tier 4 Formal Diagnosis – carried out by our OH Physician
Contact us to see how we can help your business…
Choosing an occupational health plan to suit your business can be difficult, that’s why we are here to help you select the plan that’s right for you and your business.
Either fill in the form below, or call 07810 351346