OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
We offer help and advice on all occupational issues including:

1. PRE-EMPLOYMENT / EMPLOYMENT MEDICALS / EXIT MEDICALS
2. RESPIRATORY SURVEILLANCE
3. AUDIOMETRY HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
4. SKIN SURVEILLANCE
5. HAVS / VWF ASSESSMENTS
6. BLOOD ANALYSIS / BIO TESTING
7. DRUG / URINE SCREENING
8. ALCOHOL BREATH TESTING
9. OFFSHORE / OVERSEAS MEDICAL
10. NIGHT WORKER ASSESSMENT
11. VISION SCREENING

PRE-EMPLOYMENT / EMPLOYMENT MEDICALS / EXIT MEDICALS

These types of medicals are invaluable to every employer as a record is then maintained of each employees health, as they started the company, during their employment and if they decide to leave the company.  This enables any change in results to be monitored and action taken at an early stage. These types of medicals may include:

• Review of medical history
• Height, weight, blood pressure, BMI
• Audiometry
• Skin surveillance
• Vision Screen
• Musculoskeletal
• HAVS/VWF
• Lung function/respiratory health surveillance.
• Urinalysis
• Drug screening where applicable

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PAPER SCREENING £10.00 - £15.00
Once you have appointed your new employee, they should be given a confidential medical questionnaire to complete and return straight to ourselves.  Once received they will be reviewed by on Occupational Health Nurse who will then e-mail a fitness for work certificate.  If a telephone consultation with an employee is required the cost increases to £15.00
A similar services is available for Night Worker Assessments.

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RESPIRATORY SURVEILLANCE

Workers who are exposed to respiratory hazards can develop occupational asthma in some cases. Several examples of particularly harmful agents are listed below

• Flour and grain dusts (wheat, maize, barley, rice) and additives (fungal alpha-amylase)
• Isocyanate paint sprays
• Colophony fumes
• Glutaraldehyde
• Hardwood dusts (African teak, western red cedar)
• Metal plating operation
• Reactive dyes
• Laboratory animals
• Polyurethane/epoxy resins

Symptoms include – Conjunctivitis (watering, itching of the eyes and swelling periorbitally ), Rhinitis (watering, itching, stuffiness, of the nose and sneezing), Asthma (chest tightness, cough, wheeze, shortness of breath). Skin sensitisation can also occur, giving symptoms/signs of dermatitis.
Assessment usually includes the following:

• Respiratory function health questionnaire
• Lung function testing with spirometry
• OHP referral if required
• Regular and timely review as necessary

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AUDIOMETRY HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

Screening can help detect early hearing loss amongst employees exposed to noise.  Early identification of noise induced hearing loss can allow early remedial action to prevent further damage occurring.  Of equal importance, audiometric screening can be used to assess the effectiveness of measures already in place to safeguard employees hearing.  The screening also enables detection of hearing loss due to other causes, thereby allowing early referral for appropriate medical management.

Assessment usually includes the following:

• Audiometric questionnaire
• Audiometric testing
• Categorisation
• Regular and timely review as necessary
• Group anonymised report to management

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SKIN SURVEILLANCE

Occupational skin diseases, also known as occupational dermatoses, are skin diseases primarily caused by occupational hazards and usually takes the form of contact dermatitis.  There are other forms of occupational skin disease such as infection from micro-organisms in oils used as coolant on machine tools or a substance may be capable of causing skin cancer. The most common signs and symptoms of contact dermatitis the main symptom being itching are inflammation, redness, swelling, blistering, flaking and cracking.

Assessment usually includes the following:

•  Skin health surveillance questionnaire
• Clinical examination
• OHP referral where indicated
• Regular and timely review as necessary
• Group anonymised report to management

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HAVS / VWF ASSESSMENTS

Workers who are regularly exposed to hand transmitted vibration may suffer from a variety of work related injuries to the hands and arms. This could include impaired blood flow and indeed nerve damage in severe cases.  These injuries and symptoms are collectively known as Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) and Vibration White Finger (VWF). HAVS is also associated with damage to other soft tissues and is known to be associated with Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.  Symptoms may include blanching of (cold) fingers, numbness/tingling, reduced sensitivity to touch & temperature, reduced dexterity, pain & stiffness in hands and fingers and reduced grip strength.

Assessment usually includes the following:

• Risk Assessment
• Havs screening questionnaire
• OHP Assessment using the Perdue Peg Board, Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and grip strength equipment
• Stockholm staging and advice on future use of vibratory tools
• Regular and timely review as necessary
• Report to management

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BLOOD ANALYSIS / BIO TESTING

Blood / urine samples can be taken for several purposes. We use only reputable laboratories and results are usually back within a few days depending on the tests required. Reasons for testing include COSHH health surveillance for exposure levels to Isocyanates, Mercury, other heavy metals and physical agents. All results are reviewed by our occupational health professionals prior to reports being formulated.

Assessment usually includes the following:

• Sample collection session
• Review of results
• Report to management
• Notification to individuals of results
• Regular and timely review/follow up as required

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DRUG / URINE SCREENING

The types of substances which can have an effect on both health and safety at work are mainly, illicit drugs, alcohol, and over the counter medicines. These can be screened for at pre-employment stage and “for cause/ random” if the company drug & alcohol policy  makes provision for this.   

Assessment usually includes the following:

• Sample collection session
• Urine drug testing kits
• Chain of custody testing for random and for cause tests
• Report to management

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ALCOHOL BREATH TESTING

Tests can be conducted using the Drager 7410 Alcometer for instant blood alcohol level breath test results. Employees can be screened for at the pre-employment stage and “for cause/ randomly” if the company drug & alcohol policy  makes provison for this.

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OFFSHORE / OVERSEAS MEDICAL

The relevant authorities have approved Dr Shaw to conduct these medical assessments for the Norwegian and UK offshore workers.

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NIGHT WORKER ASSESSMENT

A ‘Night Worker’ is someone who in their normal course of work includes at least 3 hours between 11pm and 5 am or 12pm to 7am. Employees should be given a health assessment questionnaire for night workers, which will be reviewed by an occupational health nurse. The employee should also be offered the opportunity for a face to face health check with the nurse if they so wish. A certificate of ‘Suitability for Night Work’ would be issued where appropriate.  After the initial night worker assessment, employees will be reviewed at regular intervals as follows:

Every 3 years to age 45
Every 2 years from age 45 to age 60
Every 1 year thereafter

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VISION SCREENING

Vision screening is performed with a Keystone vision screener and is especially useful at    pre-employment stage, particularly for drivers/FLT and DSE users to assist with compliance with current legislative requirements placed upon employers.

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