Medical surveillance is a planned medical programme with periodic examinations, which may include clinical examinations, biological monitoring, and/or medical testing of employees. The purpose of the programme is to determine whether an employee suffers any negative effects of specific workplace hazards that were identified during the Hazard Analysis and Risk Identification process, as well the effectiveness of workplace control measures. Medical surveillance may also be a legal requirement in certain cases such as for employees working in high-noise environments or when working with chemicals.
Who may perform Occupational Health Medical Tests?
- Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner (OHNP): A person who is a registered nurse with the required qualifications for providing occupational health services to employees and employers in the workplace.
- Occupational Medical Practitioner (OMP): A person who is a registered medical practitioner with the required qualifications for providing occupational health services to employees and employers in the workplace.
It is important that the employer informs the worker of the reasons and procedures for medical surveillance before it is carried out.
For more information on medical surveillance of employees, see the SIZA Guide to Health and Safety Management: https://siza.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SIZA-Guide-to-Health-and-Safety-Management-V01.pdf