Why Health Surveillance is important in the workplace

Health surveillance is a legal requirement.  It is an important part of occupational health as it identifies any health and safety issues early, reducing work related illness among your workforce. 

In this guide, we will go through all the reasons why health surveillance is a significant part of your working environment. We discuss how you can implement it in your workplace, as well as the short-term and long-term benefits. The ultimate goal of health surveillance is to safeguard your employees' health, but it's also crucial in ensuring your company complies with occupational health and safety regulations.

If you're looking to create a safe, healthy, and legally compliant workplace, explore our health surveillance services, designed to protect you, your team and your business.

Table of Contents

• What is Health Surveillance?

• Why Occupational Health Surveillance is Important

• How to Implement Health Surveillance in the Workplace

• Benefits of Health Surveillance

• Why Health Surveillance Should be a Priority

What is Health Surveillance?

Health surveillance is a program of ongoing health checks aimed at identifying potential work-related health and safety issues at an early stage. 

These checks, while important for every workplace, are especially valuable for those who work in environments where they could be exposed to hazards such as chemicals, loud noise, vibration, or dust. Health surveillance involves periodic assessments such as medical examinations, biological monitoring and questionnaires. However, these assessments differ from organisation to organisation, as different sectors will have different requirements. 

Our blog on over and under health surveillance goes into detail on the differences between the two types of health surveillance, helping you choose the best one for your workplace.

Why Occupational Health Surveillance is Important

Health surveillance is valuable for multiple reasons, for example:

• Detects possible work-related illnesses early

• Prevents and manages risks

• Ensures compliance with legal health and safety regulations

Overall, occupational health surveillance is a great way to create an environment that promotes employee safety, health, and general well-being. By implementing a health surveillance system in your company, you send the message to your workforce that you care about their health, as well as avoid unnecessary and costly illnesses and injuries. 

We offer a wide range of health surveillance services, from biological monitoring to lung function testing.

How to Implement Health Surveillance in the Workplace

Implementing health surveillance in the workplace doesn't have to be complicated. At Insight Workplace Health, we offer a wide array of health surveillance services, focusing on identifying any issues as early as possible. 

Our fully trained occupational health professionals are ready to take on jobs of all sizes and varying difficulties. We are fully equipped to perform health surveillance tests such as skin surveillance and HAVS (Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome) assessments, among others. Once we have completed the health surveillance screening, we will then offer advice and support on how you can improve your workplace health and safety.

Benefits of Health Surveillance

If you’re wondering how health surveillance fits into your company, it’s a good idea to consider how it can enhance employee wellbeing, reduce risks, and support legal compliance.

Healthier Workforce

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Financial Savings Through Prevention

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Promoting a culture of safety

A strong culture is one of the most crucial elements in creating a positive work environment. By demonstrating to your staff that you care about their safety, you are building trust, boosting morale, and fostering a workplace culture where people feel valued, respected, and supported. Through the implementation of health surveillance, you are also leading by example, demonstrating to your team that safety always comes first.

Why Health Surveillance should be a priority

Health surveillance should be a priority in every workplace as it creates a safer environment where your team can work at their best. Investing in health surveillance doesn't just benefit your employees; it's also advantageous for you and your company financially. There are fewer costs accrued through sick days, absenteeism, and possible injury payouts. It’s important to remember that health surveillance also helps businesses comply with legal requirements, preventing costly penalties.

Health Surveillance FAQs

Is health surveillance a legal requirement in the UK?

Whether you are legally required to carry out occupational health surveillance depends on whether or not your employees are exposed to certain health risks, such as hazardous substances, excessive noise or vibration. While not every industry legally requires health surveillance, it's still always a good idea to monitor employee health proactively.

What are the steps of the health surveillance process?

After you have identified your work place hazards, we will then choose an appropriate method of surveillance, for example, skin checks, lung function tests, questionnaires, etc. Our trained professionals will then inform your team of the process and begin the surveillance, always making sure to keep personal health information secure. The results of the surveillance will be reviewed by us, and we will advise on any changes or adjustments.

What is the difference between health surveillance and health screening?

It’s important to know the difference between health surveillance and a health screening, especially if you are considering investing in one of them for your workplace. Health surveillance is an ongoing process which aims to reduce the risks of work-place ill health by identifying hazards as early as possible. It is a legal requirement for several jobs and looks for things such as vibration and dust. A health screening, however, is a one-off general health check which tests for issues such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI, and is not necessarily related to occupational health.

What types of jobs require health surveillance?

Not every industry requires health surveillance, and it is usually dependent on whether you and your employees are exposed to specific risks and hazards. Here are some of the jobs/industries that may legally require health surveillance:

• Construction workers

• Cleaners/janitorial staff

• Laboratory/research staff

• Painters/decorators

• Agricultural workers

Not sure if your company legally needs to carry out health surveillance? Contact us, and one of our experts will be able to advise you on the best course of action.