Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

17.24.7 Health surveillance – Regulation 9
Employers must provide health surveillance (hearing 
checks) for all their employees who are likely to be regu-
larly exposed above the upper exposure action values, 
or are at risk for any reason, e.g. they already suffer from 
hearing loss or are particularly sensitive to damage.
The purpose of health surveillance is to:
➤
warn when employees might be suffering from early 
signs of hearing damage
➤
give employers an opportunity to do something to 
prevent the damage getting worse
➤
check that control measures are working.
Trade union safety representative, or employee represen-
tative and the employees concerned should be consulted 
before introducing health surveillance. It is important that 
employees understand that the aim of health surveil-
lance is to protect their hearing. Employers will need their 
understanding and co-operation if health surveillance is 
to be effective.
Health surveillance for hearing damage usually 
means:
➤
regular hearing checks in controlled conditions
➤
telling employees about the results of their hear-
ing checks (required after reasonable notice by 
employee)
➤
keeping health records
➤
ensuring employees are examined by a doctor 
where hearing damage is identifi ed.
If the doctor considers the hearing damage is likely to be 
the result of exposure, the employer must ensure that:
➤
employee is informed by a suitably qualifi ed person
➤
review the risk assessment and control measures
➤
consider assigning employee to alternative work
➤
ensure continued surveillance.

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Introduction to Health and Safety at Work
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17.24.8