Exposure to high levels of noise at work may cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. Temporary deafness may be experienced after leaving a noisy place and although hearing recovers within a few hours, this should not be ignored and continued exposure to high levels of noise could damage hearing permanently. Permanent hearing damage can therefore be caused immediately by sudden, extremely loud noises but hearing loss is usually gradual because of prolonged exposure to noise.

Audiometry Surveillance Package includes:

• Ear examination
• Heart Rate
• Blood Pressure
• Urinalysis
• Audiometry Test

This is an independent, confidential health service provided by qualified nurses specialising in the branch of medicine that deals with the relationship between work and health. We use a standard Management Referral System in order that the nurse fully understands the information required and a standard report format in order to provide the referring manager with clear advice regarding the management of the employee’s health and wellbeing whilst at work. Employers discuss the reason for referral with the employee and obtain consent prior to the appointment.

The purpose of the referral may be to:

• Advise on the rehabilitation of employees returning to work following ill health or accident
• Assist employees to manage illness and associated sickness absence
• Prevent employees from becoming ill as a result of the work they do
• Provide support and guidance with phased return to work
• Provide support and advice regarding restrictions on duties required to enable continuation of work in current job role
• Make recommendations regarding work adjustments to support employees with disabilities
• To provide advice on planned sickness absence for surgery, etc.

Following the consultation and providing consent has been provided by the employee for release, a comprehensive report will be provided to give advice on aspects requested in the Management Referral Form. The report will only contain relevant work related clinical information.

Employee Surveillance packages inclusive of the relevant comprehensive health questionnaires may include singular testing or any combinations of the following:

• Audiometry
• Hand Arm Vibration Screening
• Drug & Alcohol
• Spirometry
• Vision
• Dermatology
• New Starter Medicals
• Driver Medicals
• Forklift Truck Driver Assessments
• Night Worker Assessments
• Ergonomics Assessment
• Working at Heights Assessment
• Confined Spaces Medical
• Possible specialist testing as dictated by COSHH risk assessment

This is a method of assessing lung function by measuring the volume of air that the patient is able to expel from the lungs after a maximal inspiration. It is a reliable method of differentiating between obstructive airways disorders (e.g. COPD, Asthma) and restrictive diseases (where the size of the lungs is reduced, e.g. fibrotic lung disease).

Spirometry is the most effective way of determining the severity of COPD. Severity cannot be predicted from clinical signs and symptoms alone, full spirometry testing routinely when performing lung function tests in order to provide a comprehensive overview of the respiratory system generally.

Our Spirometry Surveillance Package includes:

• Detailed relevant questionnaire
• Heart Rate
• Blood Pressure
• Urinalysis
• Respiratory Surveillance

This is carried out using Keystone Computerised Vision Screening equipment. Screening is carried out relative to customer requirements and the specific job role of the employee. We can test:

• Near
• Far
• Intermediate
• Visual range depth
• Peripheral vision
• Colour blindness
• Night vision
• Eye co-ordination

Alcohol Testing is conducted by breath testing using Draeger AT-6810 machines. The test is carried out by staff fully trained in the procedure of administering a breath test and certified to a level of competence. The collector will ask for information about the donor to fill in the Alcohol Testing Consent Form and obtain written consent by asking the employee to sign the form.

The employee will be asked to take a deep breath and blow forcefully and evenly through the mouthpiece, without touching the monitor. The result is then expressed in ‘per mil’ units (grams per litre). It takes approximately 5 minutes to complete the test. A second test is required after 20 minutes if there is a reading other than zero, even if it is below the company alcohol limit, to establish if levels are rising or falling.

Drug Testing is conducted by a urine sample. The employee will be asked about any medicines they may have taken in the past 14 days. The specimen will not be analysed unless the employee signs the consent to test section of the chain of custody form. Testing is carried out in the presence of a witness. The employee will be asked to provide a urine specimen that will be tested immediately for the presence of drugs. If this proves ‘non-negative’ at this stage it will be sent to an independent fully accredited laboratory to be confirmed. The sample taken will be separated into two bottles one of which will be used by the laboratory for analysis. The other will be kept in safe storage for one year and will be available for independent analysis.

The laboratory will test for the presence of some or all of the following drugs:

• Amphetamines
• Benzodiazepines
• Cannabis
• Cocaine
• Methadone
• Methamphetamine’s
• Opiates (MOP)

We offer either Standard Entry Medicals or a more Comprehensive Entry Medical dependent upon the job role. In addition, we offer a screening service of New Starter Medical Questionnaires.

Standard Entry Medicals include:

• Detailed general health assessment
• Blood pressure
• Heart Rate
• Urinalysis
• Height
• Weight
• BMI

Comprehensive Entry Medicals include:

• Detailed general health assessment
• Blood pressure
• Heart Rate
• Urinalysis
• Height
• Weight
• BMI
• Audiometry
• Spirometry
• Vision