Health surveillance is a scheme of repeated health checks used to identify ill health caused by work, especially where employees are exposed to known hazards such as noise, vibration, respiratory sensitisers, skin irritants or other substances hazardous to health.
It does not replace risk assessment or control measures – instead, it confirms whether those controls are working in practice, gives early warning when they are not, and helps you take action before minor health effects become long‑term problems.
Clarity designs health surveillance around your specific workplace hazards and exposure profiles, not generic templates. We use your risk assessments to identify who needs surveillance, for which risks, and at what level, ensuring programmes are proportionate, defensible and aligned with HSE and COSHH guidance.
We deliver surveillance through a mix of on‑site clinics, mobile medical units and clinic network appointments, making it easier to reach the right workers across multiple sites and shift patterns without excessive downtime or travel.
Our reporting is structured to support follow‑up action, continuous improvement and audit readiness. You get clear outcomes, recommendations and trend information so you can see where controls are working, where they need improvement, and where further investigation is required.
Health surveillance can sit alongside management referrals, safety‑critical medicals and other occupational health services, giving you a more coherent, cost‑effective approach to managing work‑related health risks across your organisation.
Based on your risk profile, a Clarity health surveillance programme can include some or all of the following:
Noise surveillance – hearing checks for workers exposed to hazardous noise.
Respiratory surveillance and spirometry – questionnaires and lung function tests where workers may be exposed to respiratory sensitisers, fumes or dusts.
HAVS surveillance – structured assessments for employees using vibrating tools or machinery.
Skin surveillance – checks for workers exposed to irritants or sensitisers that can cause dermatitis or other skin conditions.
Biological monitoring – where appropriate, to confirm how well controls are preventing uptake of certain substances.
Each programme is tailored to the hazards identified in your risk assessments and to the sectors and roles you operate in.
Health surveillance is typically required when:
Workers are exposed to a hazardous substance or agent linked to a known disease or adverse health effect.
There is a reasonable chance that the disease or effect may occur in the conditions of work.
There are valid methods to detect early signs of the disease or effect.
This often applies where there is exposure to:
Noise and vibration
Respiratory sensitisers and irritants
Substances that can cause dermatitis or other skin disease
Certain metals, solvents and other agents with systemic effects
Clarity can help you interpret your risk assessments and regulatory requirements to determine where health surveillance is necessary and what level is appropriate.
A well‑designed health surveillance programme helps employers to:
Detect work‑related ill health at an early stage so steps can be taken to treat the condition and prevent further damage.
Check that control measures are effective and highlight lapses or gaps.
Provide data to evaluate health risks and refine risk assessments.
Give employees a route to raise concerns about how work may be affecting their health.
Reinforce training and education on the use of protective equipment and safe working practices.
Health surveillance does not remove the need to manage risk at source, but it does provide essential feedback on whether those efforts are protecting people as intended.
For health surveillance, employers need a partner who will challenge, innovate and stay accountable where health risk, operations and legal duties intersect.
We challenge when surveillance is missing, mis‑focused or overly generic, and help employers re‑align programmes around real hazards and roles.
We innovate in how surveillance is delivered – using on‑site, mobile and clinic‑based options, plus smart scheduling, to minimise disruption while maintaining coverage.
We are driven to deliver – responsive with planning, reliable in delivery and clear in reporting, so you always know where you stand.
Collaboration drives us forward as we work with health and safety, HR, occupational hygiene and managers to integrate health surveillance into everyday operations.
If your workforce is exposed to noise, vibration, chemicals, dust or other hazards, Clarity can help you design and deliver a health surveillance programme that protects people, supports compliance and fits the way your business really operates.
Health surveillance is an ongoing programme of repeated health checks and questionnaires for employees exposed to workplace health risks, designed to detect early signs of work‑related ill health and help you protect staff and meet legal duties.
Health surveillance is needed where risk assessments identify ongoing exposure to hazards such as noise, vibration, respiratory sensitisers, skin irritants or certain chemicals, and where there is a reasonable likelihood that this exposure could cause ill health even when controls are in place.
Depending on your risks, a health surveillance medical can include some or all of the following: audiometry (hearing), spirometry (lung function), HAVS assessments, skin checks, vision screening, urine and blood samples, and tailored questionnaires about symptoms and exposure.
Frequency depends on the level and type of risk and the roles involved. Many programmes run annually, with shorter or longer intervals for specific hazards or where early changes have been identified; your occupational health provider will advise on appropriate intervals based on your risk assessment.
No. Health surveillance focuses on detecting work‑related ill health linked to specific workplace exposures, whereas general health screening and health promotion look at broader health topics (such as lifestyle risks) that are not necessarily caused by work.
Yes. Health surveillance can be delivered via onsite clinics and Mobile Medical Units, as well as through local clinic appointments, with scheduling around shifts to minimise travel time, downtime and disruption.
You receive clear outcome reports for each employee (for example Fit, Fit with restrictions, or Refer), plus management summaries and trend information where appropriate, helping you demonstrate compliance, plan follow‑up actions and review the effectiveness of your controls.
Yes. Health surveillance data is managed under clinical governance and data protection standards, so medical information remains confidential and securely stored, while managers receive only appropriate outcome summaries and recommendations rather than full medical records.
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