HEALTH MONITORING
Spirometry
Health monitoring is a way to check if the health of workers is being harmed from exposure to substances hazardous to heath while carrying out work, and aims to detect early signs of ill-health or disease.
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What is involved in a worksite lung function test ?
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Work history & respiratory questionnaire
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Lung function test
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Explanation of results
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Assess type, use and care of respirators
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Provide company report including any recommendation
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Medical referrals
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Who should have it ?
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All employees who are exposed to airborne hazards, e.g. dusts, powders, metal fume, solvent vapor, asbestos & silica particles.
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Why is it done ?
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Provide a baseline record on commencement of new role/job
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Monitor lung function for declining results & look for trends in work groups.
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Results help confirm effectiveness of controls.
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Identify and assist workers with reduced lung function.
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Helps to determine who requires medical review prior to respirator use.
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Good health and safety practice, compliance
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Applicable legislation/guidelines regarding workplace lung function testing and respiratory protection.
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AS/NZS 1715
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Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016
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Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Exposure Indices.
Audiometry
What is involved in a worksite hearing test ?
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Work history & questionnaire
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Check ear canals, conduct hearing test
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Explain results
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Check fit, use and care of hearing protectors
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Provide a company report and any recommendations
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Medical referrals
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Who should have it ?
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All employees who are exposed to noise levels greater than LAeq,8h, of 85 dB(A); and a peak noise level, Lpeak, of 140 dB
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Why is it done ?
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Provide a baseline record and to track any progressive hearing loss
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Look for hearing loss trends in work groups, reassess effectiveness of controls
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Identify and assist workers struggling with communication due to hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in ears)
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Good health and safety practice, compliance
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Applicable legislation/guidelines regarding workplace hearing conservation requirements.
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AS/NZS 1269.3 and AS/NZS 1269.4
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Approved Code of Practice, Management of noise in the workplace.
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Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016
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Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995.
Vision Screening
Monitoring your workers vision is important for those doing jobs that have a visual component. Early identification and prevention of vision loss enhances workplace job performance, safety and productivity.
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What is involved in a worksite vision test ?
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Vision health/history questionnaire
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Vision test for: near, distance, visual field, depth perception, and red/green color identification
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Explanation of results
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Provide a company report and any recommendations.
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Medical referrals
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When should testing be done ?
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Person doing:
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High computer use and reading
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Work on detailed componentry or machinery
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Where red/green colors are used, e.g. wiring, ground markings and boundary pegs
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Jobs with known eye health hazards, e.g. lasers, Infrared, chemical vapors
Why do it ?
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Provides a baseline record for future reference
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Determines who requires medical review
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Safety on the job, is person fit for work
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Look for trends in groups and review controls
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Good health and safety practice, compliance
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Applicable legislation/guidelines regarding workplace eye protection.
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AS/NZS 1337 – Personal eye protection standards
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Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016
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Health and Safety at Work Act, 2015
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Blood Pressure
Blood pressure recordings are offered during workplace pre-employment and baseline health assessments and sometimes annually depending on individual companies health programs.
As a large proportion of the population are in the workplace it is a great opportunity to offer a blood pressure check.
The workplace may become a safer and more productive place due to identification, education and possible treatment of at risk individuals.
