Workplace Health Surveillance

Audiometry hearing tests are carried out on employees who are regularly exposed to noise in the workplace. The objective is to safeguard employees working in noisy environments from noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). It also helps to monitor the long-term effectiveness of control measures in the workplace, such as ear plugs and muffs.

Audiometry should only be made available when measures to eliminate or reduce noise in the work area to within safe limits are not reasonably practicable. In other words, it should only be commenced where it is not possible to “engineer out” noise. Early detection of hearing loss allows for appropriate medical follow up of the individual and remedial action in the workplace. However, any hearing loss that has already occurred is irreversible.

The audiometry programme should include a baseline audiogram, with a repeat audiogram carried out one year later. Subsequent audiograms are usually recommended at one to three year intervals thereafter, depending on the initial audiogram findings. Employees only attend for audiograms where there is ongoing exposure to noise.

All employees attending for hearing tests are given a copy of their audiogram, an explanation of the results and are advised in relation to reducing their risk of noise. Once an audiology screening programme has commenced it must continue as long as the employee remains working in the noisy area. Audiogram records are retained for at least 15 years by the CSOHD.

Please note that there is no “self-referral” for audiograms in the CSOHD. An employee must work in an area where there is ongoing exposure to noise that is over the threshold for which audiology noise screening is required by law. Thus noise testing must have previously been conducted in their workplace indicating that they are getting a noise dose that requires an audiology hearing test.

Where there is an ongoing exposure to silica dust, health surveillance for silica dust exposure may be required periodically. This screening is only provided where it is not possible to engineer out this exposure. Please note that there is no “self-referral” for silicosis screening in the CSOHD. An employee must work in an area where there is ongoing exposure to silica dust that is over the threshold for which screening is required by law. Thus testing must have previously been conducted in their workplace indicating that they are getting an exposure dose that requires ongoing screening. Currently a physical examination and lung function testing is conducted. A chest x-ray or other radiological may also be performed if required.

This programme is provided to Department of Agriculture employees who are involved in bird culling in management of Avian Influenza outbreaks. All employees involved in outbreak control measures need to have their medical fitness assessed and to receive seasonal influenza vaccination. Whilst this does not protect the workers from avian influenza, it protects against the public health risk of the “normal” flu virus mixing with the Avian Influenza virus to produce a strain that would be more pathogenic to humans.

Incidental exposure to asbestos can occasionally occur, such as during construction and renovation work in buildings. The risk of developing lung cancer is very low compared to that occurring during the mining and manufacture of asbestos products. Where a documented incidental exposure takes place, following careful assessment of risk, employees may occasionally be offered screening. This consists of a physical examination and lung function testing. A chest x-ray or other radiological may also be performed if required.