Health Surveillance

Health surveillance, or biological monitoring, involves systematic health monitoring of employees with increased exposure to hazardous substances. This health monitoring is implemented for the early detection of negative impacts or health changes as a result of increased exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. It can assist employers and medical practitioners to identify where intervention or control measures are required to minimise impacts on employee health.

Whitsunday Doctors Service are available to conduct Health surveillance and monitoring for a range of hazardous substances including

Crystalline Silica
Lead
Asbestos
Isocyanates
Other hazards exposures which have valid testing measures

Health surveillance may include a range of different testing including:

Medical consultation by a qualified general practitioner
Physical examination
Additional testing measures such as spirometry
Clinical tests such as urine and blood pathology
Chest x-rays

It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all employees undergo health surveillance prior to entering a workforce with hazardous substance exposure and ensure periodic monitoring occurs as per the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD).

Crystalline Silica – Health Surveilance

Crystalline silica (silica) is an abundant mineral found in many natural earth products such as sand, clay, stone, gravel, mortar and concrete and the majority of different rocks including marble, granite, limestone, slate and quartz. Silica dust is generated when these products are modified, either naturally or through mechanical processes, through methods such as crushing, sawing, sanding, polishing, drilling, cutting etc. These processes can produce silica particles so small that they can be inhaled deep into the lungs. These miniscule particles are called Respirable Silica dust particles and can cause detrimental health issues and fatal lung damage (Silicosis). Silicosis results in scar tissue development within the lungs which can have significant impacts on lung function.

Professions involved in the process outlined above such as mineral mining, concreting, civil construction, cabinet making, benchtop fabrication etc. have increased exposure to Silica dust and therefore are at increased risk of developing silicosis. Employees working within these professions should therefore partake in regular health surveillance and monitoring including baseline and periodic assessments to allow for early detection of ill health effects as a result of silica exposure. This includes those using, handling, generating or storing productions containing silica particles.

Crystalline Silica Health Surveillance within Queensland is performed using the Mineral Mines and Quarries Medical and involves the following components:

Medical history review by a qualified General Practitioner including demographic, medical history and occupational history
Review of previous exposure to Silica Dust
Respiratory Questionnaire
Respiratory (lung) function tests including spirometry review
Chest X-ray with dual screening by Lungscreen Australia

It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all employees undergo health surveillance prior to entering a workforce with hazardous substance exposure and ensure periodic monitoring occurs as per the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD).

To make a booking for a Mineral Mines and Quarries (Crystalline Silica) Medical Assessment please call Whitsunday Doctors Service Airlie Beach on 07 4967 7700 and press 3 for Occupational Health or click the link below to create a booking request.

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