Full health surveillance may need to include diagnostic tests and specialist medical review. This will involve maintenance of health records, biological monitoring (e.g. in people exposed to lead or mercury), biological effect monitoring (e.g. spirometry for people exposed to allergens).
Routine periodic health surveillance -

• Due to identified risks to health some employees will need to be monitored on a regular basis e.g. exposure to respiratory and skin sensitisers etc.
• Due to risks to other employees or the public, routine health surveillance can be of value to identify health problems at an early stage e.g. drivers, food handlers.

Night Workers
Under the Working Time Regulations 1998 employers must offer night workers a free health assessment before they begin working on nights. This should continue all the time they are working nights and consist of a questionnaire and an examination by an OH Practitioner.

Under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, amended 2002, an individual DSE Risk assessment should be completed when a new job is commenced and consider the entire work environment, including the work area, work equipment and the physical environment.  Also visual screening of VDU “users” should be provided in conjunction with the employer.

As a woman becomes aware she is pregnant, she should inform her employer. This will enable a suitable and sufficient risk assessment to be completed, taking account of any health risks to the mother and/or the unborn child.