What is Health Surveillance?
It’s a system of ongoing health checks designed to catch early signs of work-related ill health. Unlike voluntary wellbeing programmes, surveillance is mandated by law. It does two things: it protects individual workers by detecting problems early and it validates whether your existing control measures are actually working.
Core surveillance services
Hearing Conservation (Audiometry)
For employees exposed to noise above 80dB. Required under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. The test combines an ear examination with a 20-minute audiometry assessment to detect early noise-induced hearing loss. Results are categorised against HSE L108 standards.
Respiratory Health (Spirometry)
For workers exposed to respiratory sensitisers like isocyanates, flour dust or wood dust. Required under COSHH 2002. Spirometry measures airflow and lung volume to detect early occupational asthma or COPD before they become disabling.
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
For anyone using vibrating tools above the Exposure Action Value. Required under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. We deliver the full tiered pathway, from Tier 1 questionnaires through to Tier 4 physician assessment.
Skin Surveillance
For roles involving contact with irritants such as epoxy resins, solvents or metalworking fluids. Visual skin inspections under COSHH regulations detect early dermatitis before it becomes a chronic condition or a compensation claim. In regulated industries, surveillance often sits alongside Vocational Medicals for safety-critical roles, ensuring employees remain medically fit to perform high-risk duties.
Why choose MCL Medics?
- Onsite mobile units: The clinic comes to your car park. Staff are tested in 20 minutes with minimal disruption to shifts.
- HSE-qualified clinicians: Every assessment is conducted by specifically trained occupational health professionals. Your Fitness for Work certificates are legally defensible.
- Complete record management: We maintain long-term health records and baseline monitoring data, often established during Pre-Placement baseline testing, giving you the evidence base for HSE audits and risk reviews.
- SEQOHS-accredited governance: All surveillance is delivered within MCL’s accredited governance framework and supported by clinical governance and strategic oversight from our senior occupational health physicians. We’ve been running compliant surveillance programmes across construction, manufacturing, energy and government since 1999. Your records are audit-ready.
FAQs
Yes, if your employees are exposed to workplace hazards covered by COSHH, Noise at Work or Vibration regulations. HSE can issue improvement notices or prosecute employers who fail to provide it.
Frequency depends on the hazard. Noise and HAVS typically require annual monitoring. COSHH surveillance varies by substance. We design a schedule based on your risk assessments.
The clinician provides a Fitness for Work certificate with recommendations. If exposure has caused early damage, you may need to adjust the role, reduce exposure, or refer for specialist treatment. Early detection is the whole point.
Yes. Our mobile units are fully equipped for audiometry, spirometry, HAVS screening and skin surveillance. We can process large groups in a single day with minimal disruption to your operations.