Infinity Occupational Health provides HSE Appointed Doctor medicals for lead, asbestos and ionising radiation. These assessments are required under the relevant legislation (Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002, Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2012, Ionising Radiation Regulations 2018).
The medicals are required periodically with a doctor who has postgraduate occupational medical qualifications and has been given special permission because of experience to undertake medical surveillance.
Lead medicals
The objectives of HSE lead medicals surveillance are to make initial assessment of suitability to carry out work with lead. This includes evaluation of the effect of lead absorbed, advise on the state of health, assess the suitability to continue working with lead, detect any signs of excessive lead absorption and to prevent lead poisoning where relevant in addition to assisting employers in their duty to control the exposure of their employees to lead.
An initial Appointed Doctor HSE lead medical should be carried out on all new employees liable to be exposed to lead with subsequent monitoring dependent on the results of blood tests. The tests can indicate the levels of lead in the circulation and in some cases, the effect of lead on certain cells. If levels of lead are increased, then the employer may have to be advised regarding this and as the levels rise further, some employees may need temporary suspension. This would also indicate a requirement to check control measures regarding the exposure to lead.
Asbestos medicals
For those undertaking work with asbestos, the regulations state that medical surveillance is necessary (every two years for licensed asbestos work and every three years for non- licensed asbestos work). The asbestos medical consists of a respiratory questionnaire and history, examination of the respiratory system and lung function testing. If there is any suspicion of asbestos-related disease, then a chest x-ray may be needed and also also consideration of referral to a chest specialist. Asbestos related disease can include a thickening condition called asbestosis and malignancy called mesothelioma. An excellent guide on this can be found at https://www.pleuralmesothelioma.com/cancer/
Ionising radiation medicals
Under the ionising radiation regulations, classified persons require medical surveillance by an Appointed Doctor. The purpose is to confirm the individual is fit or continues to be suitable for the intended work with the ionising radiation. Classified persons are defined as those who are exposed or are likely to receive and effective radiation dose over 6 mSv per year, greater than 15 mSv per year to the lens of the eye or greater than 150 mSv per year to the skin and extremities.
Such an assessment is required before being designated as a classified person with periodic reviews of health at least once per year. Special medical surveillance is required when a dose limit has been exceeded and in determining whether specific conditions for working with ionising radiation are necessary.
A review is also required after finishing work if this is necessary to safeguard health. The assessment looks at the type and source of radiation, monitoring, use of protective equipment while comparing this against features such as the medical history and examination. This aims to identify whether there are any risk factors for harm such as psychological conditions, skin disease, history of blood conditions or medications that could be relevant.
For Occupational health services for your business, get in touch today. We operate throughout South Wales and the UK.
