Occupational Health for Health

and Safety Practitioners

Fiona Davidson Senior OHA

What do you as health and safety
Practitioners need to know?
What do we as OH do and what
do we need from you?
What do you do with the results.
What must the employer do?

 Risk assessment / MHSW

 COSHH assessment

The majority of health surveillance is statutory –

regulated by COSHH.
Other aspects of surveillance may be seen as good
practice or industry driven
 Health Records

• Health records of surveillance should be kept for 40

years

• These can be seen by the employer, the employee,

the HSE and a representative for the employee (with
their consent).
The health surveillance cycle
taken from the HSE Website
http://www.hse.gov.uk/health-
surveillance/assets/documents/h
ealth-surveillance-cycle1.pdf
 Hearing
Health Surveillance

Employer - carry out risk assessment and noise surveys and

follow the advice given : put in place a range of control
measures to reduce noise exposure.

Hearing tests will show if these are working and if issues are
identified, advice will be given. (We do take note of existing
hearing loss that may be from hobbies or previous jobs)
 Respiratory
Health Surveillance- Why?

Exposure to anything that irritates the mucous membrane

lining the eyes, nose, lungs can cause occupational asthma
or cancers e.g. dusts, fumes, gases or smoke.

Regular screening ensure control measures continue to

work and also identify any employees who may be more
prone to breathing issues and provide advice.
 Respiratory
Health Surveillance

Done by questionnaire and lung function check.

May identify areas within the workplace where other control

measures may be needed.

You should expect a report which indicates whether any

issues are noted.
Silicosis

Silicosis is a chronic lung

disease caused by breathing in tiny
bits of silica dust. Silica is a major
component of sand, rock, and
mineral ores like quartz.
 Asbestos

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/price
d/l143.pdf
 Diesel exhaust fumes
the cancer risk
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg286.htm
 Skin
Health Surveillance- Why?

 Eczema

 Contact dermatitis

 Irritant dermatitis

 Allergic dermatitis

 Contact urticaria
Irritant exposure prone work

 Engineering oils
 Wet work
 Solvents
 Materials that dry hands
e.g. cardboard
Sensitiser exposure prone work

 Isocyanate Painters
 Resin systems
 Formaldehyde
 Chromium
 Hardwoods
 Some plants
 Hairdressers
 Health Care
Redness, swelling, flaking, cracks
Cracks, swelling
Redness, lesions, dryness
Blisters, redness, swelling, cracks
Blisters
Dryness, cracks, fingertips
Fingertips
Webspaces
Possible other reasons for skin
disorder

 Atopic eczema
 Anxiety
 Contact with irritants at home
 Could be another skin disorder
 Friction
 Skin picking
 The skin equation

No contact = No contact dermatitis

Cancers caused by sun exposure
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/i
ndg147.pdf
Cancers caused by sun exposure
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
(HAVS)
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg296.pdf

“Employees whose hands are

regularly exposed to vibration may
suffer from symptoms due to
pathological effects on the peripheral
vascular system, peripheral nervous
system, muscles and other tissues of
the hand and arm.
The symptoms are collectively known
as HAVS”
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
(HAVS)

There may be significant vibration exposure

when using a variety of tools such as

• Pneumatic drills
• Chain saws
• Grinding and polishing
• Riveting, caulking, chipping, fettling
• Pounding machines in shoe manufacture
• High pressure washers
• Motorcycle
• DIY tools
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
(HAVS)

Occupational Health will screen staff

who use tools that fit within certain
parameters or who are exposed for
certain periods of time.

The use of such tools is subject to risk

assessment.

The reporting of symptoms is vital

 Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
(HAVS)

We might see changes to how your hand

appear or feel. Grip strength or sensation
may be altered

A comprehensive
history and examination
is undertaken
What do you do next?