Health Surveillance / Screening
Health surveillance in many cases is a legal requirement and is a systematic process to identify early signs of work-related ill health in employees exposed to certain health risks.
All our health surveillance services can be provided onsite or via our Highbridge based clinic. If it is identified that further specialist interventions are required from an occupational health physician we can provide details of locally trusted services.
Health surveillance services provided include:
AUDIOMETRY (Hearing tests) – these must be provided where action levels have been assessed to be at an action level of 85dBA or above or at the lower action level of 80dBA where employees have requested it or have a hearing condition/issue. Hearing tests can be completed by Aardvark Occupational Health onsite, causing minimal disruption to business operations.
HAND ARM VIBRATION (HAVS) – The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations stipulate that employers must complete health surveillance to any employees who are likely to be regularly exposed to vibration in the course of their work. E.g: Forestry, Fabricators, Construction workers.
All HAVS assessments are carried out by appropriately qualified associates with specialist qualifications in hand arm vibration. Any employees identified with possible HAVS symptoms will be advised to refer for a formal diagnosis with an Occupational Health Physician, as stipulated in the regulations.
SPIROMETRY (lung function tests) – Spirometry is carried out to comply with The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). It must be completed where employees are exposed to substances and/or processes where occupational asthma is a known problem. E.g: Isocyanates, metalworking fluids, flour and grain dust, wood dust, latex, rosin-cored solder fume, glues and resins. Onsite lung function tests can be carried out to minimise any business disruption.
MUSCULOSKELETAL (assessments) – Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), is the term used to describe a variety of conditions including back pain, upper limb disorders (including RSI), neck pain and lower limb pain. These disorders are one of the most common causes of disability in the UK. They continue to be a significant problem for employers and employees alike in both industrial and office workplaces, thus a musculoskeletal assessment is used to diagnose a disorder, assess the risks posed by physical, strenuous activities and evaluate whether an employee has the agility and flexibility to perform their job role.
Musculoskeletal disorders include – but aren’t limited to – arthritis, muscle strain, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.