To prevent confusion about services offered within occupational health (OH) services, let us explain the difference between health surveillance and personal wellbeing or health screening.
Health Surveillance
This is a legal requirement, which can also be described as a system of ongoing health checks for those working in areas of significant risk of exposure to:
- Noise
- Vibration
- Working in compressed air atmosphere
- Welding
- Ionising radiation and some solvents
- Fumes, dusts & biological agents
Health surveillance (HS) is part of the hierarchy of risk controls and can help identify failures in control measures currently in place. It provides data to employers, allowing them to evaluate health risks in the different departments, detect early warning signs, allow for interventions such as greater engineering control methods and, or role rotation.
HS can also indicate a need for further training, either on control measures or the importance of using provided PPE as a final control measure. It also provides peace of mind to the employee that their health is not being affected by their working environment, despite the apparent risks.
HS also provides a record of an employee’s health, from the time of their employment (baseline) and thereafter on a regular basis throughout their employment and exit medical when leaving. Having this information can protect a company from litigation, providing evidence against claims of damage. HS is therefore suggested at the following intervals:
- Upon starting employment in a “high risk” environment (including transfers between departments)
- Annual testing for the surveillance required is suggested by the HSE, either questionnaire only or in person, depending on the risks.
- Occupational Health provider’s feedback may suggest increased frequency if any deviations are noted, such as 3 or 6 monthly
Occupational Health providers only provide health records with fit, unfit or fit with restrictions to the company – no personal details are shared.
If there any deviations or sudden changes, the employee will be referred to either an OH physician or an external specialist.
Employees should be encouraged to keep a record of their results in case they change jobs or relocate.
| Package 1 | Package 2 | Package 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Height/weight/blood pressure/pulse | Height/weight/blood pressure/pulse | Drug & alcohol screening |
| Spirometry or audiometry | Spirometry and audiometry | Skin surveillance |
| Health record sent to company | Health record sent to company | HAVS tier 1/2/3 |
Bespoke packages are created for your company, depending on the risks your employees are exposed to.
Health Screening/Wellbeing Checks
This is a proactive and preventative approach to health, considered an effective way of picking up early warning signs and promoting healthier life choices.
It is not a legal requirement for a company to provide for their employees.
Wellbeing or health screening can be booked by individuals for their own peace of mind or by companies wanting to provide this service as a benefit to their employees, thus increasing staff morale and promoting healthier lifestyle choices which can lead to reduced sickness absence levels.
These checks can be undertaken in clinic or on site if you have a group of employees that are either key to your operations or that you would like to offer this to.
With many people not having easy access to their GP or their usual health checks via their GP surgeries over the past 2 years, we can offer different screening packages, to meet the needs of different demographic groups.
| Bronze | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height/weight/BMI/waist | All in basic | All in basic | All in basic |
| BP/Pulse | 12 lead ECG | 12 lead ECG | 12 lead ECG |
| Urinalysis | Glucose/cholesterol check | Blood test screen | Blood test screen |
| Bowel cancer screen |
Blood test screen package: HBA1c (Diabetes), Lipid Profile (Cholesterol), Full Blood Count, Kidney Function, Liver Function, Uric Acid (Gout)& Iron Storage (Ferritin)
We provide a report with all requested information, with an indication of low, medium or high risk for problems and we suggest you share this information with your GP.
No personal data is shared with companies who provide this benefit to their employees.
As we come out of the pandemic period, it is the perfect time to show support to your employees, by demonstrating your commitment to putting their health and wellbeing first.
