Health Surveillance

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Health Surveillance

Health Surveillance

Health Surveillance is a statutory requirement carried out to help the employer to maintain a safe workplace and to protect the employee from permanent harm. It is an annual workplace assessment that is needed when an employee is exposed to hazards that could affect their health e.g. noise, dust, chemicals, vibrations.

It puts in place a systematic and appropriate programme of health monitoring, based on an assessment of workplace risk, to detect early signs of work-related ill health among employees exposed to specific health hazards.

We start by undertaking a needs analysis of your employee demographic to review. We then find the best, most cost-effective services you need in order to comply with relevant health and safety legislations.

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Relevant Legislation includes:

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Management of H&S at Work Regulations, 1999
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Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, 1992
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Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations, 1981
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Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, 2002
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Specialist legislation relating to specific chemicals, substances or risks

Following the needs analysis, we work in partnership with you to implement and maintain a planned annual health surveillance programme.

Suggestions for your programme may include the following screenings depending on the outcome of the needs analysis:
Audiology assessments
Cardio-respiratory and dermatology investigations for COSHH
• Drivers and forklift truck operator’s assessments
• Food handler assessments
Vibration, HAVS and manual handling assessments
• Cold storage reviews
• Night workers screening
• Breathing apparatus and confined space medicals
Drug and alcohol screening including chain of custody requirements, if necessary

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is health surveillance important?

Health surveillance helps companies to protect the health of their employees through early detection of adverse changes. In addition, it allows data gathering that then contributes to the detection and prevention of health hazards, and evaluation of control measures.

Health surveillance is essential where there is a high risk of a disease due to particular substances in use or other factors in the workstations, and when detection is possible it can be used to reduce potential future harm.

Is health surveillance a legal requirement?

Health surveillance is encouraged for every business. There are a number of factors to consider when deciding when to conduct health surveillance:

  1. If an identifiable adverse health outcome is present
  2. Whether said outcome can be linked to exposure
  3. Likelihood of the health outcome occurring
  4. Whether relevant and applicable techniques exist for detecting health outcome indicators

Health surveillance can also be a legal requirement in cases where employees are exposed to dangerous working environments or hazardous substances. This includes:

  • Working with high noise levels or vibration
  • Ionising radiation
  • Materials such as asbestos and lead
  • Substances such as biological agents, solves, dust, and fumes

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