Is Occupational Health Surveillance mandatory?
In many cases, yes, it is, particularly where a work process has the potential to impact your employee's health. But it can also be a low-cost, low-impact way of identifying where physical and mental health risks may present themselves and mitigating the risk to your employees by bringing liability insurance claims against you.
It is also important and mandatory to ensure your workplace and employees are safe by combining regular sampling and exposure monitoring assessments with action plans for reducing exposure to elements such as noise, dust, fume and vibration.
What does it entail for the employer?
For the employer, the first step is arranging a dedicated day or days for the surveillance. We also recommend arranging a quiet, private room for the occupational health technician to complete all appointments.
After completion, the employer will receive a summary report highlighting any concerns raised and identifying the recommended frequency for re-screening. The occupational health technician will assess current control measures and look at additional pathways to support employees' access to the help they need in their own time.
What does it entail for the employee?
Employees will be offered a 1-1 meeting with an occupational health technician. This meeting will be a confidential space where employees can discuss the impacts of the role on their health and concerns.
Everyone is different and will have other extra-curricular activities (some of which may impact areas of health), pre-existing medical conditions, and employment history. The appointment can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour or more.
What else would you recommend employers look at alongside Occupational Health Surveillance?
Occupational health surveillance goes hand in hand with workplace exposure monitoring, which is the formal process of assessing and sampling things like noise exposure, air quality and vibration levels to make the workplace safer. These compliance measures, alongside relevant training within the workplace for face fit testing, first aiders, wellbeing champions and mental health first aid, can provide a real boost to wellness and health within a workforce.
How do I book or find out more information?
To find out more information or to get a no obligation quote, call our Risk Solutions Team on 01427 420 404 or email risksolutions@skaltd.co.uk
