What occupational health surveillance is
Occupational health surveillance is a system of ongoing health checks for the early detection of specific ill health effects arising from work. The checks made can vary from enquires made about symptoms using questionnaires to medical tests performed by a health professional.
Occupational health surveillance is a particular legal requirement and should not be confused with other systems of health checks such as:
monitoring health where the effects from work are suspected but cannot be established
workplace wellbeing checks, such as promoting healthy living, and
fitness to work examinations (such as crane operators, FLT operators, HGV operators, divers)
Strictly speaking, night worker health assessments do not fall into the category of health surveillance. However, the format and processes followed are similar, so night worker assessments are included within the scope of this standard. Provision of a night workers assessment programme is mandatory, but participation for enrolees is voluntary.
When occupational health surveillance is required
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations sets out a general requirement for providing occupational health surveillance where employees are exposed to agents that are hazardous to their health.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations set out a general requirement for providing occupational health surveillance where the general criteria for surveillance are met and the agent hazardous to their health is a chemical or microorganisms.
The general requirements to provide health surveillance applies if the following criteria apply:
There is an identifiable disease or adverse health condition related to the work concerned
Valid techniques are available to detect indications of the disease or condition.
There is a reasonable likelihood that the disease or condition will occur under the particular work conditions; and
Surveillance is likely to further the protection of the health and safety of the employees to be covered.
The general requirement for providing occupational health surveillance is partly risk based, but consideration must also be given to the availability of reliable detection methods and the likely benefit to employees.
In some cases, the provision of surveillance is a clear cut statutory requirement in response to specific activities performed or exceeding specified exposures. A summary of statutory medical surveillance triggers are listed in the standard.
What occupational health surveillance programmes are currently running
The following occupational health surveillance programmes are currently running:
A respiratory surveillance programme for persons at risk of occupational asthma due to exposure to asthmagens.
A skin surveillance programme for persons at risk of occupational dermatitis
A hand-arm vibration syndrome surveillance programme for persons at risk of occupational white finger
A lead in blood surveillance programme for persons at risk of lead poisoning due to lead exposure
A general health inquiry programme for persons classified as night workers
Guidance on who might need to be enrolled on these programmes can be found in the occupational health surveillance wiki.
How staff and students are enrolled onto a surveillance programme
Occupational health surveillance is provided by the University to employees in compliance with its statutory duties. The University will extend surveillance to students where the University places them in a situation where an employee in the same circumstances would receive surveillance.
For activities that might trigger a requirement for occupational health surveillance, departments must complete a suitable and sufficient risk assessment that addresses occupational health surveillance requirements. Departments must implement control measures to prevent or reduce exposure to agents that are likely to trigger a requirement for occupational health surveillance. Occupational health surveillance is not a substitute for a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and suitable control measures.
Departments must identify staff or students who require occupational health surveillance and enrol them on a programme with SHEW. SHEW will liaise with the Occupational Health Service provider to formulate a suitable surveillance programme to meet the identified needs.
The occupational health surveillance safety standard can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. This standard sets out the University's arrangements for securing legal compliance with statutory health surveillance requirements. The standard provides details of the roles and responsibilities of Heads of Department, line managers, supervisors and employees covered by the scope of this standard.
Document control
Date of last review: The standard was last reviewed and agreed by UHSC in June 2022.
Date of next review: The next scheduled review is June 2025.