Occupational Health Services for COSHH in East Lothian
Enquire NowAt Occupational Health Services, we provide specialist health surveillance in East Lothian EH32 0 and medical support to help employers comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.
These regulations require organisations to assess, control, and monitor the risks from hazardous substances such as chemicals, fumes, dusts, gases, and biological agents.
Our occupational health services in East Lothian ensure compliance while protecting employees from illnesses linked to workplace exposure.
By offering tailored assessments, ongoing surveillance, and practical advice, we help businesses safeguard staff and demonstrate a clear duty of care.
Request a free quote for our occupational health services and COSHH medical assessments in East Lothian.
What Are COSHH Occupational Health Services?
COSHH occupational health services in East Lothian are medical checks and surveillance programmes designed for employees who are exposed to hazardous substances at work.
They focus on detecting early signs of illness caused by exposure to chemicals, dusts, fumes, vapours, or biological hazards.
Services can include baseline health checks, lung function testing, skin checks, blood tests, and regular symptom questionnaires.
This approach ensures both individual health protection and organisational compliance with UK regulations.
Why Are Occupational Health Services Important Under COSHH?
Hazardous substances can cause both short-term and long-term health problems, ranging from skin irritation and asthma to cancer and organ damage.
Without monitoring, these conditions may go unnoticed until they become serious or permanent.
Occupational health services in East Lothian play a preventative role, identifying health effects at an early stage and ensuring exposure controls are effective.
This helps reduce sickness absence, improve workplace safety, and protect employees’ wellbeing.
Who Needs COSHH Health Surveillance?
Health surveillance is required whenever workplace risk assessments show that employees are significantly exposed to hazardous substances that can harm their health.
This includes industries such as construction, manufacturing, cleaning, healthcare, laboratories, agriculture, and engineering.
For example, workers exposed to flour dust, silica, solvents, isocyanates, asbestos, or formaldehyde may all require surveillance.
Employers are responsible for identifying at-risk roles and arranging occupational health services accordingly.
What Does COSHH Health Surveillance Involve?
Surveillance depends on the substances involved and the risks identified.
It can include pre-placement assessments, regular health questionnaires, physical examinations, lung function tests, hearing tests, skin checks, or blood sampling.
Employees may also receive advice on protective equipment and safe working practices.
Reports are then provided to the employer, confirming whether each employee is fit, fit with restrictions, or requires adjustments.
How Often Should COSHH Health Surveillance Be Carried Out?
The frequency of health checks in East Lothian varies depending on the type of substance and the level of risk.
For high-risk exposures such as asbestos or lead, medicals may be required every 6–24 months by law.
For other hazardous substances, annual surveillance is typical.
Employers must follow the recommendations of occupational health professionals and ensure assessments are carried out regularly.
What Are the Benefits of Occupational Health Services for COSHH?
Occupational health services in East Lothian provide clear advantages for businesses and employees.
The key benefits include:
Ensure compliance with COSHH regulations and UK law.
Detect early signs of illness linked to hazardous substances.
Reduce long-term health risks and prevent permanent damage.
Provide impartial medical advice and work-focused outcomes.
Demonstrate an employer’s duty of care and commitment to staff wellbeing.
How Much Do COSHH Health Surveillance Services Cost?
COSHH health surveillance in East Lothian EH32 0 cost from £45 to £150 per employee per year.
Costs depend on the number of employees, the type of assessments required, and whether services are carried out onsite or in a clinic.
For larger organisations, annual service contracts usually provide the most cost-effective solution.
This investment reduces business risks by preventing illness, absence, and potential regulatory penalties.
Are COSHH Medical Assessments Confidential?
All occupational health assessments in East Lothian are carried out under strict confidentiality.
Employers do not receive detailed medical information about employees.
Instead, they receive a clear report outlining fitness for work and any recommended adjustments.
This protects employee privacy while enabling employers to manage workplace risks effectively.
What Records Must Employers Keep for COSHH Health Surveillance?
Employers are legally required to maintain health records for all employees undergoing surveillance under COSHH.
These records must include the date of each assessment, the outcome of the health check, and details of any restrictions or adjustments recommended.
Records should be kept for at least 40 years, as some conditions related to hazardous substances may take decades to develop.
Accurate record-keeping is essential for compliance, regulatory inspections, and long-term workforce protection.
Can Employees Refuse COSHH Health Surveillance?
Health surveillance in East Lothian requires employee consent, but in workplaces where COSHH surveillance is legally required, refusal can prevent an employee from carrying out certain roles.
Employers should explain clearly that health checks are confidential and designed to protect staff, not penalise them.
Most employees agree once reassured about the purpose and privacy of assessments in East Lothian.
If an employee continues to refuse, employers may need to redeploy them to non-exposed roles to remain compliant.
What Happens If an Employee Shows Early Signs of Health Problems?
If surveillance identifies early symptoms of illness, the occupational health professional in East Lothian will provide advice to both the employee and employer.
This may include recommending workplace adjustments, reducing exposure, or referring the employee to their GP or a specialist for further tests.
The goal is to prevent the condition from worsening and to ensure safe continued employment where possible.
Employers must take the recommendations seriously and act promptly to protect staff.
What Substances Are Commonly Covered by COSHH Surveillance?
COSHH covers a wide range of hazardous substances including dusts, fumes, vapours, gases, chemicals, and biological agents.
Examples include flour dust in bakeries, isocyanates in paint spraying, silica in construction, solvents in cleaning, formaldehyde in laboratories, and infectious agents in healthcare.
Each substance presents different risks, so the type of health surveillance required will vary.
Employers must assess their specific hazards and seek occupational health advice to put the right checks in place.
How Do COSHH Health Checks Benefit Employers?
While surveillance primarily protects employees, it also brings important benefits for businesses.
It helps reduce sickness absence by catching conditions early, ensures compliance with UK law, and lowers the risk of legal claims or fines.
Health reports also give employers confidence that their control measures are effective.
This demonstrates a strong commitment to health and safety, which can improve staff morale and reputation with regulators and clients.
Schedule Occupational Health Services for COSHH
At Occupational Health Services in East Lothian EH32 0, we deliver expert COSHH health surveillance programmes that protect employee health and ensure compliance with UK law.
From baseline medicals to ongoing monitoring, we provide a reliable and confidential service tailored to your industry.
Contact Occupational Health Services in East Lothian today to arrange COSHH health surveillance and safeguard the wellbeing of your workforce.
Other Services We Offer
At Occupational Health Services, we offer a wide range of services; some of these include:
Occupational Health Services for Lead Exposure
Occupational Health Services for Skin Checks
Occupational Health Services for Asbestos
Occupational Health Services for Bakery Workers
Occupational Health Services for Benzene
Occupational Health Services for Radiation Workers
Occupational Health Services for Silica Exposure
Occupational Health Services for Formaldehyde
Occupational Health Services for Dermatitis
Occupational Health Services for Mental Health
We cover East Lothian