Occupational Hazards and the Need for Health Surveillance

· 1st August 2025

No workplace can be 100% risk free. On any given day, an employee may encounter several hazards – some obvious, others more subtle – often without even realising it. What matters most is how these occupational hazards are managed, and one way to reduce risk is through effective occupational health surveillance. 

To help you and your employees stay protected at work, the team here at Healthier Workforce has compiled a list of some of the most common occupational hazards, along with advice on how to mitigate them.

Occupational Hazards and the Need for Health Surveillance

 

What are occupational hazards?

At your workplace, you may be exposed to certain job-specific dangers on a day-to-day basis; this is known as an occupational hazard. These can vary dramatically depending on the role, work environment and conditions. Some occupational risks are acute, meaning they pose an immediate and serious threat, whereas others are classed as chronic, developing into a problem with time and repeated exposure.

 

Common occupational hazards

Occupational hazards aren’t limited to high-risk workplaces; they come in many forms and can be grouped into six main categories, which we’ve detailed below.

Safety hazards

This is a broad category that encompasses a wide range of general hazards found in virtually every workplace. Safety hazards have the potential to cause an accident or physical injury, so must be carefully monitored. Examples of common safety hazards include:

  • Wet or slippery surfaces
  • Cluttered walkways
  • Loose or fraying electrical cables
  • Poor lighting
  • Damaged or poorly maintained tools
  • Falling objects

Physical hazards

Essentially, physical hazards are seemingly invisible environmental factors that can injure you without any direct contact. As these hazards are part of the everyday work environment, they can often go unnoticed, yet prolonged exposure can cause a number of long-term health conditions. Some common physical hazards, include:

  • Excessive noise (from heavy machinery, engines, power tools, etc), as this can cause tinnitus and temporary or permanent hearing loss.
  • Extreme hot or cold temperatures can lead to heatstroke or frostbite respectively, putting your body under immense stress.
  • Radiation from exposure to X-rays and radioactive materials can increase your risk of cancer and other severe health issues.
  • Vibrations, as repeated use of vibrating power tools and machinery can lead to hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), nerve damage and circulation issues.
  • Poor lighting conditions can weaken your eyesight over time.

Chemical hazards

When you think of chemical hazards, your mind may immediately envision a laboratory setting. However, it’s important to remember that most workplaces use chemicals in one form or another. 

In minor cases, chemical exposure can cause a bit of irritation, such as rashes, coughing or a slight headache. In more extreme cases, you might be left facing severe health problems, such as chemical burns, poisoning or long-term respiratory damage. Correct handling procedures and quality PPE are required to minimise the risks involved. Chemical hazards are found in many everyday products, such as:

  • Pesticides
  • Cleaning products
  • Flammable liquids
  • Solvents
  • Adhesives and glues
  • Compressed gases 
  • Paints and varnishes

Biological hazard

The term biological hazards, more commonly known as biohazards, refers to harmful biological contaminants – these could be living things or the substances produced by them – that pose a threat to human health. Exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion, direct skin contact, or via puncture wounds or cuts. Biohazards are found in a range of work environments, from medical settings and laboratories to waste management and agricultural sites. Examples of common biological hazards include:

  • Blood and bodily fluids
  • Mould and fungi
  • Bacteria and viruses
  • Animal waste and droppings
  • Contaminated sharp objects
  • Contaminated food and water

Ergonomic hazards

Unless you work in a highly varied role, many of your workdays may be quite similar, meaning you repeat the same posture, movements and tasks day after day. 

An ergonomic hazard is an aspect of your work environment that may not seem particularly dangerous or strenuous at first. However, when this action is continuously repeated over a long period of time, it can lead to fatigue, chronic pain and, in the worst-case scenario, severe musculoskeletal injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis and chronic back pain. Common ergonomic hazards include:

  • Repeatedly sitting or standing in an awkward position
  • Working at a desk or in a chair not adjusted to your height
  • Lifting heavy objects without using proper techniques
  • Poorly designed seating with no lumbar support
  • Performing the same repetitive movements every day.

Psychosocial hazards

Not every workplace danger is tangible, and it’s often the invisible hazards that can cause more damage than the physical ones. Psychosocial hazards are the everyday stressors and pressures of a job that can impact your mental and emotional wellbeing. 

Not only can psychosocial hazards affect morale and lead to burnout, anxiety and depression, but these psychological strains can soon manifest into physical conditions like insomnia, high blood pressure or chronic fatigue. Some psychosocial hazards you should be aware of:

 

What is health surveillance?

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, all employers have a legal duty to create a safe working environment for all employees and reduce health and safety risks wherever possible. This is further reinforced by the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999, which state that ‘every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of employees’. A strong emphasis is placed on the importance of proactive workplace risk assessments as a key tool for managing all occupational hazards, including work-related stress.  

One of the best ways to prevent occupational hazards and reduce risk in the workplace is through health surveillance. Workplace health surveillance ensures those in high-risk roles are regularly monitored through ongoing health checks that look for early signs of work-related illnesses. With early intervention, action can be taken to ensure minor health issues don’t develop into serious, long-term conditions.

 

Methods of health surveillance

Audiometry

If your employees are regularly exposed to persistent loud noises – whether that’s from heavy machinery, power tools or industrial equipment – then you have a responsibility under The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 to minimise the risk of hearing loss. By carrying out regular hearing tests, you can monitor how this noisy environment has affected each employee’s hearing and take proactive steps to prevent damage

HAVS tests

As we’ve mentioned above, repeated use of vibrating tools can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) – a serious and debilitating condition. Regular HAVS tests can identify the employees most at risk so that appropriate measures can be put in place to protect them.

Musculoskeletal assessments

Repetitive movements can cause strain and injury over time, so musculoskeletal assessments help to identify early signs of pain and discomfort so that the right adjustments can be made.

Skin assessments

If you work in an industry where your employees will be frequently coming into contact with UV or various chemicals – such as healthcare, hairdressing, vehicle repairs or catering – then it’s vital to monitor the impact this has on their skin. Regular skin assessments can reduce the risk of eczema, urticaria, dermatitis, skin cancer or other conditions developing.

Spirometry

Some workplaces will have numerous airborne hazards present – such as harmful dust, fumes or vapours – which, if repeatedly inhaled, can cause long-term respiratory problems, like asthma or COPD. A spirometry test will monitor your employees’ respiratory health by testing how much air your employee can breathe in and out, as well as the speed of their breathing. This can identify early signs of a decline in lung function so that further damage can be prevented – you can check out our previous article for more information.

Fit for work medicals

If one of your employers isn’t fit to carry out their work, this could injure not only them, but also their fellow colleagues. Whether your employee is returning to work after a long period of illness or they’re starting a new role involving different, more physical duties, a fit for work medical ensures they are physically and mentally capable of carrying out their work. It can also identify whether any adjustments or support are required.

 

How can Healthier Workforce help?

Whether you’re in charge of reducing occupation hazards at a high-risk workplace or you want to enhance employee wellbeing, the team at Healthier Workforce is here to support you. As your local occupational health experts since 2009, we offer an extensive range of services – including health surveillance and bespoke occupational health and safety risk assessments – that will mitigate risk in your workplace and ensure you’re fulfilling all your legal obligations.

Our qualified and experienced practitioners will work closely with you to understand the specific challenges of your workplace and find tailored solutions that meet your needs. From one-off occupational risk assessments to ongoing advice and guidance, we’re on hand to help create a safer and more productive work environment. To learn more about what we do, contact our team today or fill out our easy online referral form.