Workplace Health Monitoring & Surveillance Medicals

Workplace health monitoring, often called health surveillance, is a program of medical checks for workers exposed to particular workplace hazards. It can include exposure-specific questionnaires, tests and doctor review. The aim is to identify relevant health changes and support employer WHS duties, alongside effective workplace risk assessment and exposure controls.

Health monitoring may be required for workers undertaking ongoing work involving hazardous chemicals where there is significant risk to health, including substances listed in Schedule 14 of relevant WHS Regulations. Other specific rules apply to lead and asbestos work. The employer should assess the actual exposure and applicable jurisdiction before arranging the program.

The testing plan depends on the hazard and clinical requirements. It may include medical and occupational history, respiratory questionnaire, spirometry, hearing tests, blood or urine tests and clinically indicated imaging. The supervising doctor recommends assessment and follow-up intervals using exposure information and relevant WHS guidance. Not every test applies to every worker.

Yes. Employees Health coordinates doctor-led onsite health monitoring nationwide, with clinic options where suitable. Workers can attend scheduled appointments around workplace operations to help minimise downtime. Appointment length varies according to the hazard, selected tests and clinical findings. We confirm the expected schedule, site requirements and any external testing arrangements when quoting.

Reporting time depends on the assessment, laboratory or imaging results and the need for medical review. Employees Health confirms an expected schedule when organising the program; no standard turnaround is promised for every hazardous substance. Employers receive the appropriate health monitoring reports, while detailed worker medical information is handled confidentially.

The supervising doctor reviews the result and may recommend further assessment, referral, changes to monitoring or workplace follow-up. A screening result does not automatically establish a diagnosis. The employer receives appropriate findings and recommendations in the health monitoring report, with additional actions or regulator notifications considered where the applicable rules require them.

NSW employers should identify the hazardous substances, the workers exposed and applicable WHS duties. For high-risk crystalline silica processing, SafeWork NSW has a Silica Worker Register with specific notification requirements. Other hazards have different monitoring criteria. Registration or air monitoring alone does not replace any required worker health monitoring.

Western Australia has particular rules for some occupational exposures. For example, silica screening uses low-dose high-resolution chest CT instead of routine chest X-ray under WorkSafe WA guidance. The requirements for other substances may differ. Employees Health can discuss the appropriate medical scope and coordinate suitable arrangements after the workplace exposure is identified.

Queensland resources workplaces may be covered by additional respiratory health surveillance arrangements administered by Resources Safety & Health Queensland, including separate rules for coal mines and mineral mines or quarries. The correct scheme depends on the worksite and worker category. Employers should confirm the responsible regulator and required medical provider before booking.

Under WHS frameworks, many hazardous-chemical health monitoring reports must be retained confidentially for at least 30 years. Asbestos health monitoring reports generally have a longer 40-year retention requirement. Employers must also provide required copies to workers and follow applicable disclosure rules. Retention and reporting obligations should be checked for each exposure and jurisdiction.

No. Health monitoring evaluates a worker’s health, while air or exposure monitoring measures workplace hazards. Employers must still assess risks, maintain effective controls and comply with relevant workplace exposure standards or limits. The applicable level depends on the substance. A normal medical result does not establish that workplace exposure controls are adequate.

Employers generally pay for health monitoring required under WHS laws. Program cost depends on the substances, tests, worker numbers, locations, onsite or clinic arrangements and any laboratory, imaging or travel needs. Employees Health provides a tailored quote and confirms what the worker assessments and employer reports include before bookings are finalised.