Health Surveillance At Work

It is the employer’s duty to safeguard employees, protecting their health, safety and general welfare. Employers must do whatever is ‘reasonably practicable’ to achieve this.

In the UK, health surveillance is a legal requirement for employers in certain industries to monitor the health of their workers and identify any potential risks or hazards in the workplace. Health surveillance aims to prevent work-related ill health by detecting any early signs of occupational disease or injury caused by exposure to certain hazards or substances. It involves regular medical check-ups, screening, and monitoring of employees' health status. Health surveillance is usually carried out by a qualified occupational health professional, who may recommend further action or intervention if any health risks are identified. The UK has specific regulations that require health surveillance in industries such as construction, mining, and manufacturing, among others, and failure to comply with these regulations may result in penalties or legal action.

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What can Arion do for you?

The Occupational Health Assessment team is there to advise the employer, detailing any health and safety related support that employees may require to perform their job at full potential. Occupational Health Technicians at Arion have extensive experience and knowledge within this field.

We may carry out the following health surveillance assessments:

Audiometry:

Audiometry is the testing of a person’s ability to hear different sound frequencies. The test is carried out by a trained Occupational Health Assessor using electronic equipment called an audiometer. Audiometry testing is used to identify and diagnose hearing loss.

The ears may be examined with an Otoscope to determine if there are any blockages, infections or abnormalities in the ear canal.

Eyesight:

On the day of the screening we check the visual acuity, which is done with a simple eyesight chart. Any concerns will be raised with you on the day. Protecting your eyesight is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your quality of life. One in six adults over the age of 45 has some kind of sight-threatening eye problem. And the risk of vision loss increases with age.

Hand-Arm Vibration:

You could be risking damage to nerves, blood vessels and joints of the hand, wrist and arm if you work regularly with hand-held or hand-guided power tools for more than a few hours each day. Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) caused by exposure to vibration at work is preventable, but once the damage is done it is permanent.

Tier 2 assessment is carried out with the individual to assess any damage that maybe caused from the exposure to vibrating tools.

Whole Body Vibration:

Workers that drive mobile machines or other work vehicles including tractors, forklift trucks and earth moving machinery can be exposed to WBV. Frequent exposure can cause back pain and can contribute to degenerative disorders of the spine, nervous, circulatory and digestive system problems.

Contact Dermatitis:

Contact dermatitis is the most common type of occupational skin disease. It is defined as an inflammation of the skin resulting from exposure to detergents, toiletries, chemicals and even natural products.

There are two types of occupational dermatitis:

  • Irritant Contact Dermatitis – Caused by things that dry out and damage skin,

e.g. detergents, solvents, oils and prolonged or frequent contact with water.

  • Allergic Contact Dermatitis – Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when a person develops an allergy to something.

On the day of the assessment, the occupational health technician will carry out a visual inspection of your hands and ask you questions relating to contact dermatitis and the chemicals you may use, what gloves you use etc. We will discuss any concerns you may have and offer advice.

Spirometry:

Spirometry is a test that aids in the diagnosis of various lung conditions, most commonly Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Spirometry is the first and most common lung function test. It measures how much and how quickly you can move air out of your lungs. For this test you breathe into a mouthpiece attached to a recording device called a Spirometer.

Blood Pressure:

When your heart beats it pumps blood around your body to give it the energy and oxygen that is needed. As the blood moves, it pushes against the sides of the blood vessels. The strength of this pushing is your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is too high, then it puts extra strain on your arteries and your heart which may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

On the day we will check your blood pressure using a blood pressure monitor. A cuff will be placed around your arm and pumped up to restrict the blood flow. The pressure is then slowly released as your pulse is checked. Hearing how your pulse beats after the cuff is released allows a measurement to be taken, giving a blood pressure reading. The technician will analyse the results and any concerns will be discussed.

Blood Glucose:

Blood glucose levels are controlled by a hormone called insulin however if you have diabetes this means your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin produced doesn’t work properly. This causes the sugar in your system to build up.

Blood Glucose testing is mainly carried out to diagnose type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes, and is completed by taking a sample of your blood, which is

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