What Is Health Surveillance?

As an employer, at times it might feel tricky navigating your way through the different facets of occupational health to ensure you have a happy, healthy and engaged team. Here at Healthier Workforce, we aim to alleviate this stress and uncertainty by providing you with everything you need to know, no matter what kind of business you operate. 

This month, we’ll be delving into health surveillance services, discussing what they are, why they are important, how to set one up, and much more. 

What is Health Surveillance?

By definition, it is an employer’s duty to make sure their employees’ health is not negatively impacted by the work they carry out. The purpose of a health surveillance programme is to protect the health and safety of employees working in certain conditions through regular health checks carried out by a qualified occupational health expert. These checks are designed for early detection of any signs of ill health as a result of the employee’s workplace.

According to the HSE, “Health and safety law requires health surveillance when your workers remain exposed to health risks even after you have put controls in place.” There can be several variables that might mean these control measures are not fully reliable, which is why regular health surveillance checks are crucial in identifying any health issues that might’ve been overlooked or not properly catered for.

Why Is Health Surveillance Important?

A health surveillance service from a qualified, experienced OH professional will highlight any early signs of work-related ill health and advise on the action required to prevent further harm so that any workplace hazards are removed and employees – both present and future – are properly protected. 

Enlisting the help of an OH expert also gives employees the chance to speak about any concerns they might have about their workplace conditions and their health in relation to this, as they are the ones with their boots on the ground and experiencing it first-hand. 

When Is Health Surveillance Conducted?

Health surveillance of employees is typically conducted:

• Prior to their assignment to potentially hazardous tasks
• Periodically during their employment if they continue to be exposed to health risks
• After their return to work following prolonged sick leave to identify whether their health issues have been related to their job role 
• After their involvement with hazardous tasks has ended to check for potential future health issues

What Is A Health Surveillance Scheme?

A health surveillance scheme involves a series of checks tailored to meet the requirements of the employee and their line of work, ensuring that the results and recommendations are relevant to them. 

Occupational health surveillance covers many areas, including:

• Audiometry (Hearing Tests)
• Drug and Alcohol Testing
• Hand Arm Vibration (HAVS test)
• Fit For Work Medicals
• Musculoskeletal
• Safety Critical Medicals
• Skin Assessments
• Spirometry (Lung Function Tests)
• Vision Screening

As with any occupational health services, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, so while an audiometry check would be suitable for someone working in an environment with heavy noise, it might not apply to someone working in a laboratory, for example. That’s where the help of an occupational health expert, such as Healthier Workforce, comes in as they will assess exactly what is required for your workplace and take the necessary route.

How Is A Health Surveillance Scheme Set Up?

A health surveillance service is typically set up alongside a qualified, competent occupational health professional to ensure the correct, compliant process is followed. Based on our experience of conducting health surveillance for our clients here at Healthier Workforce, we will usually discuss the risk with the client first, and advise accordingly. We will provide feedback on the most appropriate action required for safeguarding employees and preventing any further harm — this might include additional training for team members or improving communication so they can put forward their own concerns when they arise, for example. 

Who Are Health Surveillance Schemes Designed For?

Health surveillance provides a way of monitoring any health risks that may be present in different working environments and industries, including manufacturing, construction, engineering and agriculture. Employees in such sectors may encounter health issues in their line of work which require health surveillance, from asthma or dermatological conditions due to fumes, cancer from exposure to hazardous substances such as asbestos, or hearing damage from intense noise levels. As such, regular monitoring is required to check their health and well-being, no matter their length of service at a company.

If you are searching for thorough, expert occupational health surveillance services wherever you are based in the UK, choose Healthier Workforce today. Whether you would like some more advice on what this service entails or you would like to work with us on an ongoing basis, contact us today and we’ll be happy to help.