Health Surveillance is the process of monitoring the health of employees exposed to specific health risks during the course of their work. A Health Surveillance programme is a continual process of health measurements against specific hazards.

These health checks may be required by law for employees who are exposed to noise or vibration, ionising radiation, solvents, fumes, dusts, biological agents and other substances hazardous to health. Where appropriate, employers need to provide health surveillance to demonstrate they are meeting their ‘duty of care’ for their employees as prescribed by the following Regulations:

• The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
• The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
• The COSHH Regulations 2002
• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
  

For all employees being monitored through our Health Surveillance programme, we undertake a baseline medical to establish their health at the start of the process. We then carry out periodic screening and compare the employees’ current health screening results with the baseline data.

Based on the results, where necessary, we may recommend action that should be taken to prevent further deterioration in health conditions. If signs of occupational disease are highlighted that require reporting under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), this will be discussed at the time of recognition and support and advice offered.

Workers Health Ltd offers a fully managed Health Surveillance programme which can be delivered at your premises or at a Workers Health clinic. All Health Surveillance programmes are tailored to suit your individual requirements and the work being undertaken.

A Health Surveillance programme may include an array of the following tests and screens:

• Lung Function testing (Spirometry)
• Hearing screening (Audiometry)
• Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) Tier 1- 4 assessments
• Dermatology assessment – skin assessment for dermatitis, eczema etc.

Biological Monitoring

Biological Monitoring is a simple and effective tool for exposure assessment, it is a measurement of exposure – not a measurement of ill-health

Many jobs involve using chemicals that can be harmful to health if not properly controlled.

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994 (COSHH) employers have to look for the risks to their employees’ health from chemicals in the workplace. For some chemicals, biological monitoring can be used to indicate how good control is and how much of the chemical has entered the body. It is a way of assessing exposure and health risks and involves measuring the chemical or its breakdown products in urine, blood or breath.

Workers Health Ltd is an Occupational Health Service Provider accredited by the Faculty of Medicine (SEQOHS)with Constructing Better Health (CBH), specialising in providing quality services to the construction industry and adheres to HSE and CBH standards. Workers Health Ltd offers on-site biological monitoring. All biological sampling is tested and reported on by a fully accredited UKAS laboratory.

We can screen for the following:

SPMA/Benzene
HDA/Isocyanates
Lead
Nickel