Health surveillance is about systematically monitoring and watching out for early signs of work related ill health in employees exposed to certain health risks or hazards. It involves putting in place certain procedures to achieve this outcome
Health surveillance aims to
- Detect adverse health effects at an early stage
- Prevent disabling illness/disease
- Assist in the evaluation of control measures
- Protect the health of your employees
- Support employers in complying with their legal obligation
Caer Health Services undertakes a variety of health surveillance assessments, some examples include:
Audiometry: Implementation of Hearing Conservation Programmes- under The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
Spirometry (lung function testing) – under The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
Skin Surveillance - under The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) assessments – under The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005,
Lead - under The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002.
|
Asbestos – under The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006
Ionising Radiation – under The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000
For exposure to other health risks such as manual handling, work related upper limb disorders, work that might give rise to stress-related diseases and symptoms from whole body vibration, there are no specific legal requirements for health surveillance. This is mainly because valid ways to detect ill health do not exist yet and/or the link between work and the ill health condition is uncertain. In these cases, use other methods to monitor the health of employees exposed to these risks, such as encouraging symptom reporting and checking sickness records
What us the value of health surveillance?
Health surveillance provides you with information which helps protect employees from illness caused by being exposed to health risks at work. Health surveillance identifies whether
- Your control measures are working; and
- Helps to pinpoint where you need to take further steps to ensure the safety of your employees
Caer Health Services can advise on the most suitable health surveillance programme for your employees based on the health risks and hazards that are present within your workplace. Each health surveillance programme is bespoke to your individual company needs.
|
