OCC/Physical Health/TBT-OCC-021
Health Surveillance Programme Awareness
Occupational Health › Physical Health › Health Surveillance Programme Awareness
Toolbox Talk
Health Surveillance Programme Awareness
Health surveillance monitors the health of workers exposed to specific occupational hazards such as noise, vibration, dust, and hazardous chemicals. Its purpose is to detect early signs of work-related illness before serious damage occurs. Many construction workers are entitled to health surveillance but are unaware of their rights or the programme that should be in place. This talk explains what health surveillance is, who needs it, and what it involves.
Key Hazards
Occupational disease developing undetected without routine health monitoring
Workers continuing exposure after early symptoms go unreported
Non-compliance with legal requirements for specific hazard exposures
Loss of hearing, lung function, or hand sensitivity discovered too late
Control Measures
- Identify all workers exposed to hazards requiring health surveillance through the risk assessment.
- Arrange baseline health checks before exposure begins for noise, vibration, dust, and chemicals.
- Schedule follow-up surveillance at the intervals specified by the occupational health provider.
- Ensure surveillance includes audiometry for noise, spirometry for dust, and HAVS screening for vibration.
- Keep individual health records for at least 40 years as required by UK legislation.
- Act on any findings by adjusting exposure, providing additional controls, or redeploying the worker.
- Inform workers of their results and explain what they mean for their continued fitness for the task.
- Report any cases of occupational disease identified through surveillance to the HSE under RIDDOR.
- Brief operatives on the purpose of health surveillance and their right to participate.
Remember
- Health surveillance detects early signs of occupational disease before serious harm develops
- Workers exposed to noise, vibration, dust, or chemicals are entitled to regular surveillance
- Attend every scheduled health surveillance appointment without fail when called
- Report any symptoms such as tingling fingers, hearing loss, or breathlessness to your supervisor
- Your employer must keep your health surveillance records for at least 40 years
Applicable Legislation: COSHH 2002 · Noise at Work Regulations 2005 · Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 · MHSWR 1999
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