Statutory Health Surveillance

The OHS will providing statutory health surveillance in the workplace and facilitate compliance with relevant legislative requirements. Schools/Departments, through undertaking risk assessments, identify the need of health surveillance under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999, the MHSW Regulations 1999, Noise at Work Regulations and other specific health and safety legislation. Health surveillance, required by statutory Regulations, is a means by which early signs of work-related ill health can be detected and acted upon amongst employees and students exposed to certain health risks. The objectives are:

  • The protection of the health of individual employees and students by the detection at as early a stage as possible of adverse changes which may be attributed to substances hazardous to health.
  • To assist in the evaluation of the measures taken to control exposure.
  • The collection, maintenance and use of data for the detection and evaluation of hazards to health.
  • To assess, in relation to specific work activities involving biological agents, the immunity of employees.

The need for statutory health surveillance

Statutory health surveillance at the University, including the keeping of health records, will be appropriate for employees and students exposed to substances which are likely to cause disease or adverse health effect depending upon the nature and degree of exposure. In these circumstances there must also be a valid technique for detecting indications of the disease or effect. Suitable statutory health surveillance procedures in the University will include:

  • Biological monitoring and biological effect monitoring
  • Enquiries about symptoms, inspection or examination by the Occupational Health Nurse Advisor (OHNA)
  • Medical surveillance where necessary
  • Inspection by appointed responsible persons
  • Keeping and review of individual health records and occupational history during and after exposure.

Who requires statutory health surveillance?

The requirement for employees to have statutory health surveillance will be identified by risk assessment carried out by School/Department.

Notifying the OHS of an individual's requirement for statutory health surveillance is the responsibility of the School/Department. A risk assessment must be completed for work with substances hazardous to health including respiratory sensitisers, irritants and carcinogens. Where assessment identifies the need for statutory health surveillance, an immediate request for statutory health surveillance must be sent to the OHS Surveillance Request Form giving appropriate details.

The OHS will arrange for appropriate health surveillance on receipt of the request form and risk assessment. The School/Department will be informed of the individual's attendance and their suitability to continue work. If there is any work and health associated implications the OHNA will inform the individual immediately. The School/Department will be informed of non-attendance so appointments may be rescheduled.

Employees must be informed of any known risks that are associated with their work; any signs and symptoms of work related ill health and how to report them, before they commence work. They will be expected to comply with health and safety arrangements, including statutory health surveillance. They have a duty to notify their School/Department or OHS of any symptoms they experience which they consider to be related to their work. They will be provided with all necessary information, instruction and training to achieve this end.