Health Surveillance Are you required to have health surveillance by law? Do you have issues with COSHH, hand-arm vibration, noise, lead, asbestos, radiation, or other processes that require health surveillance of employees?
We can advise on any health surveillance requirements, and help management set up appropriate health surveillance to meet best practice and legal requirements, with appropriate expert and confidential support.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 have a specific requirement for health surveillance for substances used in processes listed in Columns 1 and 2 of Schedule 6. This should be under the supervision of a relevant doctor, at intervals of 12 months or less.
There is a general requirement for health surveillance under Regulation 11 when the following criteria are met:
- an identifiable disease or health effect may be related to exposure.
- there is a reasonable likelihood that the disease or health effect may occur under the particular conditions of work.
- there are valid techniques for detecting the disease or health effect.
- the technique of investigation is of low risk to the employee.
The employer should conduct an appropriate risk assessment, in accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, to determine what type of health surveillance should be applied. We can help you with this risk assessment, and help you decide what is appropriate.
New legislation now applies to employers under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. Under Regulation 7, if the risk assessment indicates that there is a risk to the health of employees from vibration, or that employees are likely to be exposed to vibration at or above the exposure action value (currently 2.5ms-2A(8)) there is a requirement for the employer to place employees under suitable health surveillance. All employees who already have HAVS should have health surveillance if they are exposed to vibration at work.
Employers will find detailed guidelines on risk assessment and risk management in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance book L140 'Hand-Arm Vibration'.
The HSE recommends five tiers of health surveillance for HAVS. These are:
- tier 1 - initial questionnaire for those starting to work with vibrating tools.
- tier 2 - annual questionnaire for those working with vibrating tools.
- tier 3 - a HAVS health assessment by a qualified person such as an occupational health nurse.
- tier 4 - a formal diagnosis by a doctor qualified in occupational health.
- tier 5 - an optional referral for special tests to help the doctor make the diagnosis and provide advice on fitness for work.
We can provide tier 4, and can advise on a suitable process for health surveillance throughout your organisation.
The new Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 have tightened the standards for employers. The daily action values are now 80 and 85dB, the peak noise values are 135 and 137dB, and the exposure limit values of 87 dB (daily exposure) and 140 dB (peak exposure) take into account the effect of wearing hearing protection.
Health surveillance should be provided for employees who are particularly sensitive to noise above the first action level, and for all employees above the second action level. Suitable health surveillance includes regular audiometric screening.
Employers will find detailed guidelines on risk assessment and risk management in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance book L108 'Controlling Noise at Work'.
We can provide advice on risk assessment, risk management and provision of health assessment for noise exposure at work. We can also provide appropriate audiometric screening and assessment for employees.
The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 specify the requirement for health surveillance for lead workers. Each employee who is likely to be exposed to lead at work requires assessment by a doctor. Where this exposure is 'significant' as defined by the Lead at Work regulations, the doctor must either be a Medical Inspector from the HSE's Employment Medical Advisory Service or an Appointed Doctor.
Employers will find detailed guidelines on risk assessment and health surveillance for lead at work in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance book L132 'Control of Lead at Work'.
Our doctors are appropriately trained to be appointed by the HSE to provide health surveillance for your organisation.
The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 specify the requirement for health surveillance for asbestos workers. Where exposure is above the action level, initial and periodic medical examinations must be carried out by a doctor who is either a Medical Inspector from the HSE's Employment Medical Advisory Service or an Appointed Doctor.
Employers will find detailed guidelines on risk assessment and health surveillance for lead at work in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance book L132 'Control of Lead at Work'. More details of the process of health surveillance are found in MS13 'Asbestos: medical guidance note'.
Our doctors are appropriately trained to be appointed by the HSE to provide health surveillance for your organisation.
Employees who are likely to receive an effective dose of more than 6mSv per year, or an equivalent dose which exceeds three-tenths of any relevant dose limit should be designated 'classified persons' under The Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999.
The dose limits are much less for persons under the age of 16 and less for persons under the age of 18 and for women of reproductive capacity. Special rules apply to pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding.
Classified workers must have health surveillance by an appointed doctor. The detailed requirements can be found in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) approved code of practice and guidance L121 'Work With Ionising Radiation'.
We have doctors who have been specifically trained to undertake health surveillance as an Approved Doctor and can provide expert advice on radiation in the workplace.