Employee Health Screening

Should you provide Employee Health Screening?

If your employees' health could be affected by the work they do then you may need to provide health surveillance. As an employer you are expected to look after your employees' health and part of protecting their health is to provide regular health screening.

Uncertain as to the legal requirements of employee health screening?

Perhaps you’re not exactly sure what type of health screening you need for your business, after all each business is slightly different.You may need guidance to help ensure you comply with the regulations and provide the right health surveillance for your workplace?

See some examples of the type of surveillance that might be required.

• Environments with dust or breathing hazards require lung function testing e.g. spirometry.
• Employees handling chemicals require skin + breathing tests.
• Noisy workplaces require hearing and audiometry testing.
• Employees handling vibration tools require Hand Arm Vibration assessments

Could workplace screening benefit your business?

Workplace health surveillance is a cost effective way of dealing with potential health problems. It can also identify which employees are suitable for their job so you can be sure you are employing the right people for your business

How to protect your employees and reduce the risk of litigation!

If you want to protect your employees from injury and your business from possible litigation than providing health screening is a good place to start. Health screening will identify any problems early and help avoid long term damage that could affect your employees' health and put your business at risk of litigation.

Make certain your health screening is adequate?

WorkFuture has a track record in providing cost-effective health screening. Whatever the work or the environment WorkFuture's professional health advisors will make sure you have the right health surveillance for your business. For more information on any of the following health screening call us now.

• Hearing and audiometry testing
• Breathing and spirometry testing
• Hand Arm Vibration Level 1-4.
• Skin surveillance

If you want to meet your legal obligation or you'd like advice about  the occupational health surveillance you need call us on 0845 4507316.

If you are interested in Wellbeing Health Screening find out about our Wellbeing Services. For more information on what each Health Surveillance requires see our Surveillance Guide below.

HEALTH SURVEILLANCE GUIDE

Health surveillance is the regular monitoring of an individual’s health status. Many work related health issues such as hearing loss are not reversible or treatable and preventing the problem is the only solution. Health surveillance provides the employee with a baseline measurement so any changes that might occur afterwards can be measured and steps taken to reduce any further exposure.

Hearing Test- Audiometry

Employees working in noisy environments may be at risk of suffering Noise Induced Hearing Loss. Under the COSHH regulations employees are required to have regular hearing tests. The hearing test or audiometry should be taken at the start of their employment to establish the employees’ baseline hearing level. This helps to establish whether there was hearing loss before starting with the current employer

Hand Arm Vibration Screening

Now known as HAVS. HAVS is a term which refers to a range of problems in the hand and arm and includes carpal tunnel syndrome and vibration white finger. Employees who work with vibrating tools including power tools, will require regular HAVS screening under the Management of Health & Safety At Work Regulations 1999. Employees will need an initial screening and an annual screening thereafter. As there is no treatment for HAVS it’s important to identifying symptoms early to prevent the problem getting worse.

Lung Function Testing

Employees working in an environment where they may be at risk from respiratory diseases such as occupational asthma due to dust, chemicals, smoke, gases,  etc will need breathing tests as required under the COSHH Regulations 2002. The breathing test or spirometry should be done at the start of their employment and at regular intervals thereafter.

Skin Health Assessments

Employees working with certain chemicals, dusts and gases may be at risk from occupational dermatitis. Under the COSHH Regulations 20002 employees should have skin assessments and be referred to an OH professional if they have skin problems.

TO DISCUSS YOUR EMPLOYEE HEALTH

SURVEILLANCE CALL US ON 0845 450 7316