Health Surveillance Technician for COSHH
Get in touchAt Health Surveillance Technician, we provide specialist workplace monitoring to help employers comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.
Many industries expose workers to hazardous substances such as dusts, fumes, vapours, chemicals, and biological agents.
These exposures can cause respiratory illness, dermatitis, asthma, and even long-term conditions such as cancer.
Our health assessment technicians support organisations by carrying out routine health checks, recording results, and escalating concerns to occupational health professionals when required, ensuring employees remain protected and employers stay compliant.
Request a free, no-obligation quote for a health surveillance technician for COSHH today.
Why Is Health Surveillance Important Under COSHH?
COSHH requires employers to assess risks from hazardous substances and put controls in place.
Even with control measures, there is still a risk of ill health from substances such as solvents, flour dust, silica, formaldehyde, isocyanates, and oils.
Health surveillance provides a structured way to monitor employees for early signs of illness. It allows action to be taken before conditions become serious, protecting staff and reducing the employer’s liability.
What Does a Health Surveillance Technician Do for COSHH?
A health surveillance technicianconducts routine checks such as questionnaires, lung function tests, skin inspections, and symptom reviews.
They identify early signs of respiratory or skin disease and ensure results are accurately recorded.
Any concerns are escalated to occupational health nurses or physicians for further investigation.
Technicians also reinforce safe working practices, including correct PPE use and good hygiene habits, helping reduce risks in daily work.
How Often Should Health Surveillance Be Carried Out Under COSHH?
The frequency of health surveillance depends on the substance and the level of risk.
For example, silica exposure may require annual lung function checks, while flour dust may require more frequent respiratory surveillance in bakeries.
Employees should always have a baseline check before starting exposure work, followed by regular reviews, typically once a year.
In high-risk settings or where symptoms are reported, checks may be carried out more often.
What Role Does Health Surveillance Play in COSHH Compliance?
Health surveillance is a critical part of an employer’s duty under the COSHH Regulations.
Alongside risk assessments, engineering controls, and training, it ensures that health risks are actively monitored over time.
Surveillance records provide documented evidence that an employer is managing risks properly.
Without it, businesses risk enforcement notices, fines, and reputational damage if staff develop formaldehyde-related illnesses.
What Is the Cost of Health Surveillance for COSHH?
The cost of health surveillance for COSHH is from £50 to £80 per employee.
Programmes that require lung function tests, skin checks, or biological monitoring typically range from £100–£150+ per employee.
The cost of COSHH health surveillance varies depending on the substances employees are exposed to, the number of staff requiring checks, and the type of monitoring needed.
For large organisations, tailored surveillance packages usually bring down the per-person cost.
Compared with the risks of non-compliance, employee illness, or HSE enforcement, these costs represent a highly cost-effective investment.
What Are the Benefits of Health Surveillance for COSHH?
The key benefit of COSHH Regulation health assessments is that it identifies early health problems linked to hazardous substances, protecting staff and ensuring employers remain compliant with COSHH regulations.
Key benefits include:
Detects early signs of illness caused by hazardous substances.
Helps employers comply with COSHH and avoid HSE enforcement.
Protects workers’ health and reduces long-term risks.
Lowers sickness absence and associated business costs.
Provides documented evidence of the employer's duty of care.
What Symptoms Are Monitored During COSHH Health Checks?
Symptoms that are monitored during COSHH health checks may include coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath for respiratory hazards, or redness, rashes, and cracking for skin-related risks.
Technicians look for symptoms linked to exposure risks in the specific workplace.
Workers are also asked about fatigue, irritation, or allergic reactions. Because many occupational diseases develop slowly, regular monitoring helps identify issues before they become serious.
Is Health Surveillance a Legal Requirement Under COSHH?
Under the COSHH Regulations, employers must provide health surveillance if employees are exposed to substances that can cause occupational asthma, dermatitis, cancer, or other health problems.
applies across many industries, including construction, manufacturing, laboratories, healthcare, cleaning, and food production.
Records must be kept for at least 40 years because some occupational diseases take decades to appear.
What Happens If an Employee Shows Symptoms During COSHH Health Checks?
If symptoms are identified during a check, such as skin irritation or respiratory difficulties, the health technician escalates the case to an occupational health nurse or physician.
The employee may require further medical assessment and, if necessary, temporary removal from exposure.
Employers must act on medical advice promptly, which may include reviewing control measures or adjusting tasks.
Early intervention helps protect the individual and prevents further risks in the workplace.
How Are COSHH Health Surveillance Records Managed?
Records of COSHH health surveillance must be stored securely and retained for at least 40 years, as many occupational diseases can take decades to develop.
These records include baseline assessments, questionnaires, test results, and referrals.
Employers are legally responsible for maintaining these records and making them available to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) if requested.
Proper record keeping demonstrates compliance and protects employers in the event of health claims.
Which Industries Most Commonly Require COSHH Health Surveillance?
Health surveillance under COSHH is most common in industries with high exposure risks.
These include construction (silica, cement), baking and food production (flour dust), healthcare and laboratories (formaldehyde, disinfectants), cleaning (cleaning agents), and manufacturing (isocyanates, oils, solvents).
Any workplace where hazardous substances can cause occupational asthma, dermatitis, or other illnesses must consider health surveillance as part of their COSHH compliance.
How Can Employers Reduce Reliance on Health Surveillance Alone?
While health surveillance is important, it should not replace exposure controls.
Employers must first minimise risks by using engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation (LEV), safe handling practices, and substitution of hazardous substances where possible.
Providing correct PPE, training staff, and maintaining safe working systems are equally essential.
Surveillance is the back-up measure to ensure these controls are effective, not a substitute for them.
Can Health Surveillance Improve Staff Confidence?
Regular health checks reassure employees that their well-being is being prioritised.
Workers are more likely to report symptoms early when they know a structured surveillance system is in place.
We build trust between staff and employers, improve morale, and help foster a stronger safety culture. In industries where staff are concerned about hazardous substances, surveillance plays an important role in reducing anxiety.
Schedule a Health Surveillance Technician Today
At Health Surveillance Technician , we provide expert support to protect staff from occupational illness and help employers remain compliant with UK regulations.
Our technicians carry out routine checks, maintain accurate records, and escalate health concerns promptly.
We ensure safer workplaces, healthier staff, and reduced business risk.
Contact Health Surveillance Technician today to arrange your workplace health surveillance programme.
Other Services We Offer
At Health Surveillance Technician, we offer a wide range of services; some of these include:
Health Surveillance Technician for Lead Exposure
Health Surveillance Technician for Skin Checks
Health Surveillance Technician for Asbestos
Health Surveillance Technician for Bakery Workers
Health Surveillance Technician for Benzene
Health Surveillance Technician for Radiation Workers
Health Surveillance Technician for Silica Exposure
Health Surveillance Technician for Formaldehyde
Health Surveillance Technician for Dermatitis
Health Surveillance Technician for Mental Health