Health Surveillance

Table of contents:

• What is Health Surveillance?
• Why Is Health Surveillance Important?
• When Is Health Surveillance Required?
• Examples of Health Surveillance Activities
• Who Conducts Health Surveillance?
• Legal Responsibilities for Employers
• Benefits of Health Surveillance for Employees
• How Often Should Health Surveillance Be Carried Out?
• How GoodShape Supports Health Surveillance and Employee Wellbeing

What is Health Surveillance?

Health surveillance is a system of ongoing health checks designed to identify early signs of work-related ill health among employees exposed to certain risks and hazards. It is a legal requirement for employers under UK health and safety regulations where specific workplace exposures exist, such as noise, vibration, solvents, fumes, dust, and biological agents.

Health surveillance is not the same as general health screening; it is a targeted process that monitors employees who are at risk due to hazardous work activities.

Why Is Health Surveillance Important?

Health surveillance plays a crucial role in protecting employees from developing serious work-related health conditions. By identifying early signs of ill health, it allows employers to take action before issues become long-term or costly to treat. This helps reduce sickness absence, improve employee wellbeing, and maintain productivity.

It is also a legal requirement under UK health and safety law where workplace risks are present. Implementing proper health surveillance demonstrates that you are meeting your duty of care and taking proactive steps to protect your workforce. In addition, it provides valuable data that helps businesses monitor trends, assess the effectiveness of control measures, and make informed decisions to improve workplace safety.

When Is Health Surveillance Required?

You must implement health surveillance if your employees are exposed to:

• Hazardous substances (e.g., chemicals, dust, fumes)
• Noise levels above legal limits
• Hand-arm vibration from tools or machinery
• Ionising radiation
• Biological agents
• Respiratory risks such as isocyanates or silica

If your risk assessment identifies these hazards, health surveillance becomes mandatory.

Examples of Health Surveillance Activities

• Hearing Tests (Audiometry): For employees exposed to high noise levels
• Lung Function Tests: For people working with respiratory hazards
• Skin Checks: To detect dermatitis caused by chemicals or irritants
• Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) Monitoring: For tool and machinery operators
• Biological Monitoring: To measure chemical exposure through blood or urine tests

Who Conducts Health Surveillance?

Health surveillance must be carried out by a qualified Occupational Health professional. Some basic checks may be performed by trained staff, but medical examinations must be undertaken by an OH nurse or physician.

Legal Responsibilities for Employers

Employers are legally required to:

• Provide health surveillance if identified as necessary through risk assessment
• Keep accurate health surveillance records
• Act on health surveillance results and adapt workplace controls
• Protect employees’ confidentiality and data security

Benefits of Health Surveillance for Employees

• Early support and treatment for work-related health conditions
• Increased awareness of health hazards
• Peace of mind that their employer is prioritising their wellbeing
• Reduced likelihood of long-term health issues

How Often Should Health Surveillance Be Carried Out?

The frequency depends on the risk involved. Some tests are annual, while others may be required every 6 months or even at shorter intervals depending on exposure levels.

How GoodShape Supports Health Surveillance and Employee Wellbeing

Effective health surveillance is not just about compliance, it’s about protecting your people and reducing avoidable absence. This is where GoodShape can help.

GoodShape’s absence management platform gives employers full visibility of health trends across their workforce. By integrating Occupational Health data with real-time absence reporting, GoodShape helps organisations:

• Spot early warning signs of work-related illness
• Identify departments or roles where surveillance is required
• Reduce long-term sickness caused by preventable conditions
• Support employees through tailored interventions and referrals to occupational health professionals