In South Africa, the frequency of medical surveillance for employees is dictated by specific regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) of 1993 and its associated regulations. Here’s a detailed explanation:
Regulations Requiring Medical Surveillance:
- Hazardous Biological Agents Regulations
- Asbestos Regulations
- Hazardous Chemical Substances Regulations
- Lead Regulations
- Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Regulations
Frequency of Medical Surveillance:
The OHSA specifies that medical surveillance must be carried out systematically and periodically to monitor employees for early signs of work-related illnesses. The exact frequency can vary based on the type of hazard:
- Initial Baseline Assessment: This is conducted before the employee starts working in an environment with specific hazards to establish their health status.
- Periodic Examinations: These are usually conducted annually but can vary depending on the specific regulation and the level of risk. For example, noise-induced hearing loss regulations may require audiometric testing at more frequent intervals if high levels of noise exposure are detected.
Types of Examinations:
Medical surveillance programs may include:
- Audiometric (hearing) tests
- Lung function tests
- X-rays
- Eye tests
- Physical examinations
- Specific tests for exposure to hazardous substances, such as blood lead levels for lead exposure
Responsibility:
Employers are responsible for ensuring that medical surveillance is carried out as per the regulations. The surveillance must be conducted by a qualified occupational health practitioner, either a doctor or a nurse specialized in occupational medicine. Employers must also cover the costs associated with these medical examinations.
Purpose:
The aim of medical surveillance is to:
- Identify early signs of work-related illnesses
- Evaluate the effectiveness of control measures
- Determine whether an employee can continue working in their current environment or needs to be removed
- Ensure timely medical intervention and treatment for affected employees
For detailed information, you can refer to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 and resources provided by Site Safety and other occupational health guidelines.
This comprehensive approach ensures that workers are protected from long-term health effects caused by workplace hazards, and that employers remain compliant with South African safety legislation.
