Health Surveillance
Unity offers a wide range of Health Surveillance Programmes and will establish and maintain agreed programmes of statutory medical screening for staff exposed to potential hazards identified within your work place from your Risk Assessments such as noise, solvents, fumes, skin irritants, lead, hand arm vibration (HAVS) etc. The majority of the heath surveillance can be undertaken on site to cause minimal disruption to the company or the employees.
For all health surveillance programmes, employers and employees will receive an individual report once the assessments are completed.
Food Hygiene
The catering industry requires a very high level of hygiene during the preparation of food to minimise the risk of contaminants being ingested by the consumers. A food hygiene medical includes questionnaires and examinations of ears, throat, teeth and skin as necessary.
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (or White Finger Syndrome) is an occupational disorder which if left unmonitored and untreated could potentially lead to a serious medical condition. It can affect anybody who manually uses machinery or tools which vibrate. Unity can provide assessments of potential sufferers, and offer advice to employers on ways to reduce and control the amount of exposure to vibrating power tools.
The HSE introduced the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations directive in 2005.
HAVS: L140: http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/vibrationregulations.htm
Hearing Tests
Audiometric testing will show whether exposure to noise from the workplace has damaged somebody’s hearing. While noise in the working environment cannot always be eliminated, Unity will assist the employer to minimise the risk of hearing damage to your employees through a hearing conservation programme including employee education with information about noise induced hearing loss and hearing protection.
Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/advice.htm
Lung function
Unity’s Respiratory health surveillance monitors employee’s respiratory function through both questionnaires and spirometry tests using diagnostic analytical equipment to ensure continued heath in the workplace and allow early detection of occupationally acquired asthma.
Employers are duty bound to protect their employees’ respiratory function by three legal documents: the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999), and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (2002).
Musculo-skeletal Screening
Through a questionnaire and a consultation, it is possible assess how physically able an employee is and advise on any treatment, restrictions or reasonable adjustments which would benefit both the employee and employer if a musculo-skeletal complaint is present.
Skin surveillance
A questionnaire and inspection of an employee’s skin, especially the hands, are undertaken to look for damage to the skin from using certain chemicals and substances. Information and advice is given on appropriate hand hygiene and skin care.
Vision Testing
Eyesight is our most valuable human sense and must be protected at all costs since damage cannot be reversed. Unity’s vision testing is intended for employees using workstations, but is also part of other health surveillance programmes eg: Driving, Fork Lift Truck Driving and Routine Health Assessments where appropriate.