Workplace health surveillance

Workplace health surveillance is a system of ongoing health checks. These health checks may be required by law for employees who are exposed to noise or vibration, ionising radiation, solvents, fumes, dusts, biological agents and other substances hazardous to health, or work in compressed air.

Definition

Workplace health surveillance is a branch of occupational medicine that focuses on the prevention and control of diseases and injuries associated with work methods, exposure to hazardous substances, and workplace conditions. It involves the systematic, regular monitoring of workers to identify early signs of work-related ill health.

Objectives

The primary objectives of workplace health surveillance are to protect the health of the individual worker, protect the health of the workforce as a whole, and ensure that work environments are safe and healthy. This is achieved by identifying potential health risks, monitoring the health of the workforce, and implementing measures to control identified risks.

Methods

Workplace health surveillance can involve a variety of methods, including health questionnaires, biological monitoring, and health assessments. The specific methods used depend on the nature of the work, the potential health risks associated with the work, and the individual health status of the worker.

Legal requirements

In many countries, workplace health surveillance is a legal requirement. Employers are required to conduct regular health checks and maintain records of these checks. The specific legal requirements vary from country to country and may depend on the nature of the work and the potential health risks associated with the work.

Benefits

Workplace health surveillance has several benefits. It can help to identify work-related diseases at an early stage, allowing for early intervention and prevention of further harm. It can also help to identify areas of the workplace that may be contributing to ill health, allowing for improvements to be made.

Challenges

Despite its benefits, workplace health surveillance also faces several challenges. These include ensuring that all workers have access to health surveillance, maintaining confidentiality of health information, and ensuring that health surveillance is not used as a substitute for eliminating and controlling hazards at the workplace.

See also

• Occupational health psychology
• Occupational safety and health
• Occupational disease
• Occupational hygiene