Relevant Statutes:
Objectives
The main aim of health surveillance is to detect as early as possible any adverse effects on the health of workers who may be exposed to hazardous agents at work, or to prevent any harm. Health surveillance will also-
- check the effectiveness of control measures
- provide feedback on the accuracy of the risk assessment
- identify and protect individuals at increased risk
When required
Health surveillance is required when-
- the risk assessment identifies a need
- there is a legal requirement such as those in the regulations relating to
- COSHH
- Asbestos
- Ionising radiations
- Display screens etc.
- there is an identifiable disease or adverse health condition related to the work concerned
- valid techniques are available to detect indications of the disease or condition
- there is a reasonable likelihood that the disease or condition may occur under the particular conditions of work
- surveillance is likely to further the protection of the health of employees
Several methods are available, some of which should start before workers are exposed to the particular agents to establish a baseline against which any subsequent changes can be detected.
Employers
Employers have to ensure their employees are provided with appropriate health surveillance with regard to the risks identified by risk assessments (see section on Risk Assessment). The surveillance must have regard to the nature and magnitude of the risks to the health and safety created by the relevant work.
Health surveillance should begin before the employee starts the work. The regulations do not require workers to be screened to identify any pre-existing health conditions or to meet fitness requirements for work offshore In normal circumstances an employer should appoint a competent person to assist him with any health surveillance (see section on Health and Safety Assistance)
Employees
- Must co-operate with health surveillance by attending medicals and supplying
- information as appropriate
- Can appeal to the HSE against any decision to suspend them from work on medical
- grounds
- Have the right to access their own records if they give reasonable notice
Records
Records of health surveillance should be kept for 40 years after the date of the last entry. If the employer ceases to trade in this period he must notify the HSE and offer the records to the HSE. Employees have the fight to access to their own records.
Recommended Further Reading
- ACoP to the Management of Health and Safely at Work Regulations
- Guidance to Management and Administration Regulations
- The OIM's Manual: Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation.
- OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH - REVIEW
The changing nature of occupational health : contributions marking the centenary of the appointment of Dr Thomas Legge as the first Medical Inspector of Factories. McCaig, R., Harrington, M. (ed)
HSE Books, 1998. ISBN 0717616657 £19.50 Published 17.12.98
This book is published to commemorate the centenary of the appointment of Dr Thomas Legge as Medical Inspector of Factories in 1898. Eighteen self-contained chapters address the major current health issues in relationship with work and health, of interest to occupational health professionals but also intended for a wider audience wishing to broaden a general understanding of the subject. Recognising that the world of work and the related health problems have changed since Legge's day, the book nevertheless aims to demonstrate the relevance of his rigorous approach to the investigation and reduction of work-related ill health today.