Why may an employer need to provide health surveillance?
Employers may need to implement respiratory health surveillance to safeguard the health and safety of employees exposed to respiratory hazards in the workplace. This surveillance is essential for:
- Early detection: Identifying initial signs of respiratory issues caused by exposure to hazardous substances.
- Prevention: Mitigating the risk of developing serious respiratory conditions.
- Compliance: Ensuring adherence to health and safety regulations.
By conducting regular health checks, employers can proactively address potential health risks and create a safer working environment.
As it has been several years since the evidence behind the HSE’s approach to providing health surveillance was last reviewed, the HSE commissioned a systematic review of the method and frequency for undertaking workplace respiratory health surveillance.
Summary of the research findings
The HSE recently published the findings of that research. Broadly this found that the HSE’s current guidance did not need to be updated. Other key findings include:
- Importance of surveillance: These programmes are vital for the early identification of occupational respiratory diseases.
- Tailored strategies: Surveillance methods should be customised to align with specific workplace exposures and conditions.
- Worker feedback: Incorporating employees’ input enhances the effectiveness of surveillance programmes.
- Follow-up actions: Proper follow-up based on surveillance results is crucial for improving programme outcomes.
The study underscores the significance of tailored and responsive health surveillance strategies to protect workers from respiratory hazards.
Where can the full report be found?
For a detailed understanding of the research and its findings, the full report is available on the HSE website.
If you have any questions or would like support with managing issues at your workplace, please speak to your usual contact or get in touch using the form below.
