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Health Surveillance Regulations The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (COSHH) require a risk assessment where employees are using chemicals or other substances which could put their health at risk (See Occupational Hygiene). A risk assessment includes the measures to prevent or control exposure and the procedures for health surveillance. When is health surveillance required? Health surveillance is considered appropriate where the exposure to a substance hazardous to health is such that there is a reasonable likelihood that the disease or effect may occur under the particular work conditions of the employee's work, and there are valid techniques for detecting the adverse health effects at an early stage. Complying with the Regulations Decisions on the appropriate form and the level of the surveillance will require the advice of an occupational health professional. Industry-specific guidance may be available from trade associations, including examples of best practice. Health surveillance can be made a condition of employment and part of the pre-employment health screen, with repeat testing at recommended intervals during employment. Health surveillance may be conducted by an occupational health physician or one of our Occupational Health Nurse advisers. Under certain regulations the physician has to be an Appointed Doctor for that workplace and recognized by the Health and Safety Executive. Tests may include biological monitoring - obtaining blood, urine or breath samples for analysis in a specialized laboratory - which is another way of checking on exposure, especially if the hazardous substance is able to be absorbed through the skin (like many solvents, for example). Typical examples of health surveillance include:
The OHSC staff are available to provide advice on the type and frequency of health surveillance your workforce may require. Investigations such as chest X-rays and audiometry are available at charge through our OHSC hospitals.
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All
services described on this site are provided by accredited teams of professionals
who will deal with all enquiries and services direct with the customer.
The Occupational Health and Safety Consortium is an umbrella group dedicated
to communicating a range of services; the Consortium does not provide services
in its own right.
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