Medical and health surveillance

• Pages: 50-52

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13. Medical and health surveillance

13.1. General principles

13.1.1. Medical surveillance includes, where appropriate, pre-assignment and

periodical medical examinations. It also includes, where appropriate, medical

examinations upon resumption of work after a prolonged absence for health reasons,

and upon and after termination of work involving exposure to chemicals.

13.1.2. Medical surveillance, conducted by an approved medical practitioner,

should be used as part of overall health surveillance, in accordance with the objectives

and principles of the Occupational Health Services Recommendation, 1985 (No. 171).

Health surveillance should also include, where appropriate, simple techniques for the

early detection of effects on health. These could include examination and questioning

about health complaints.

13.1.3. Where necessary, the employer, or the institution competent under

national law and practice, should arrange, through a method which accords with

national law and practice, medical surveillance of workers:

(a) for the assessment of the health of workers in relation to risks caused by exposure

to chemicals;

(b) for the early diagnosis of work-related diseases and injuries caused by exposure to

hazardous chemicals;

(c) for the assessment of the workers’ ability to wear or use required respiratory or

other personal protective equipment.

13.1.4. In the case of exposure of workers to specific hazards, medical and health

surveillance should include, where appropriate, any examination and investigations

which may be necessary to detect exposure levels and early biological effects and

responses.

13.1.5. When a valid and generally accepted method of biological monitoring of

workers’ health exists for the early detection of the effects on health of exposure to

specific occupational risks, it may be used to identify workers who need a detailed

medical examination, subject to the individual worker’s consent.

13.1.6. Medical surveillance is necessary where:

(a) it is required by national law whenever workers are liable to be exposed to

chemicals hazardous to health; or

(b) the employer is advised by an occupational health service that it is necessary as

part of the protection of workers exposed to chemicals hazardous to health, given

special attention to pregnant and breastfeeding women and other susceptible

workers; or