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Understanding Health Surveillance: What Your Business Needs to Know
A straightforward look at health surveillance, why it matters, and how the right approach protects both your people and your business.
July 7, 2025
Not every role is the same when it comes to health and safety. Some jobs carry risks that mean employees need to meet specific medical standards before they can do the work safely. That’s where fitness for work assessments come in. They’re about making sure people are capable of carrying out their duties without putting themselves or others at risk.
These assessments are most common in roles where the risks are higher, such as construction, manufacturing, utilities, transport, and similar sectors. They can involve checks like vision, hearing, lung function, or general fitness depending on the job. For drivers, there are specific medical standards set out in law, and for safety-critical roles, employers have a duty to be confident their people can work without endangering themselves or colleagues.
Why It Matters:
Fitness for work assessments protect both the workforce and the business.
- Safety first – Employees in high-risk roles (such as working at height, in confined spaces, or operating machinery) must meet strict health standards to prevent accidents.
- Legal compliance – These assessments are a requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act, meaning they’re not optional.
- Clarity and confidence – Employers get a clear outcome, and employees know where they stand, avoiding uncertainty on both sides.
The Common Gaps we see
One issue we see often is assessments carried out once at the start of employment and then never repeated. Health can change, and without follow-up, emerging risks may go unnoticed. Sometimes assessments are rushed or handled as a formality, which means important details are missed. Drug and alcohol testing is another area that can be overlooked. Even when it’s covered in company policy, it isn’t always built into safety-critical medicals, leaving businesses exposed if an incident occurs.
How We Approach it
We keep the process straightforward while making sure it delivers value. Employers can book through the client portal, and all reports are stored there securely for reference. Assessments are carried out by qualified professionals who provide clear, practical outcomes, not just a pass or fail, but guidance if adjustments or further checks are needed. The focus is always on making sure the assessment works for both the employee and the employer, giving everyone confidence in the result.
Final Word
People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing that’s why we recommend it daily. Someday is not a day of the week. Class aptent aciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. But what if you’re really exhausted physically, mentally.
