Health Surveillance is the monitoring of individuals who, through the risk management process, have been identified as being exposed to potential hazards that require health monitoring. This will require preliminary assessment of exposures and documenting the results, it may also determine if additional controls are required to reduce exposure. 

The primary aim of health surveillance is to contribute to the early detection of hazards, including the possibility of adverse health effects on employees.

Typical hazards which require health surveillance include:

 - hazardous substances including carcinogens

 - meliodosis

 - radiation

 - lasers

 - solvents, fumes, dusts

 - biological agents

 - noise

 - hand-arm vibration

 - asbestos, lead or contaminated soils.

It should be noted that health surveillance is not to be used as a primary control measure, but rather it should form part of a comprehensive system that ensures existing control measures are effective.

Employers are responsible for providing health surveillance where necessary, and they must ensure a subject matter expert has assessed the results for the supervision of the health surveillance.

MACSS can assist you in the development and
implementation of a risk assessment and develop a
system of work. For more information contact
info@macssgroup.com.au.