Health Surveillance for Silica Exposure
Enquire NowAt Health Surveillance, we provide legally compliant health monitoring for silica exposure for employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust.
Silica is a common hazard in construction, quarrying, stone cutting, tunnelling, and manufacturing processes involving concrete and brick.
Long-term exposure can cause life-threatening conditions such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney disease, and lung cancer.
Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002), employers must provide health surveillance for workers regularly exposed to silica.
Our service ensures early detection of health risks, accurate record keeping, and compliance with HSE guidance.
Request a free quote for silica exposure today.
Why Is Health Surveillance Important for Silica Exposure?
Silica-related diseases progress slowly, often developing over years without obvious symptoms.
By the time breathlessness or persistent coughing becomes noticeable, irreversible lung damage may already have occurred.
Health surveillance identifies early changes in lung function, enabling intervention before illness becomes severe.
For employers, it demonstrates compliance with COSHH and a commitment to workplace safety.
What Does Health Surveillance for Silica Exposure Involve?
Surveillance begins with a baseline health assessment before employees start work in dusty environments.
Our process is followed by questionnaires on respiratory symptoms and lung function testing (spirometry) to measure breathing capacity.
Results are tracked over time, with abnormal findings referred to an occupational health physician.
The process also includes education for workers on recognising early symptoms.
Which Workers Are Most at Risk of Silica Exposure?
The highest risks are faced by construction workers, stone masons, quarry workers, tunnelling staff, and manufacturing employees involved in cutting, drilling, or grinding concrete, bricks, and stone.
Road workers and demolition crews are also at risk due to heavy dust exposure.
Employers in these sectors must prioritise health surveillance for silica to protect staff and comply with COSHH.
Can Health Surveillance Prevent Silicosis?
Health surveillance cannot remove exposure but plays a critical role in early detection of lung damage.
Spirometry and symptom monitoring can reveal reduced lung function before workers are severely affected.
By acting on these results, employers can remove staff from high-risk exposure, adjust tasks, or improve dust controls, preventing silicosis and other serious diseases.
How Does Health Surveillance for Silica Support HSE Compliance?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) lists respirable crystalline silica as a cause of occupational cancer and mandates health surveillance where risk assessments show exposure.
Surveillance provides evidence that employers are monitoring staff health, maintaining accurate records, and acting on occupational health advice.
Our medical assessment company not only ensures compliance with COSHH but also demonstrates robust duty of care.
Are Silica Health Surveillance Records Confidential?
All silica health surveillance records are confidential and stored securely under GDPR rules.
Employees are given their personal results, while employers only receive fitness-to-work certificates or adjustment recommendations.
Our confidentiality encourages worker participation while ensuring compliance with HSE requirements.
What Additional Controls Should Employers Provide Alongside Surveillance?
Health surveillance is one part of a wider safety system.
Employers must also provide engineering controls such as water suppression and local exhaust ventilation, enforce strict use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE), and maintain good housekeeping practices to reduce dust build-up.
Training staff to recognise risks and report symptoms supports both prevention and surveillance.
How Long Should Health Surveillance Records for Silica Be Kept?
Employers must retain health surveillance records for at least 40 years, as silica-related diseases such as silicosis or lung cancer may take decades to develop.
Records should include baseline assessments, spirometry results, exposure histories, and medical certificates.
Maintaining long-term records ensures legal compliance and protection for both employers and employees.
How Often Should Silica Health Surveillance Be Conducted?
The frequency depends on the exposure level identified in the COSHH risk assessment.
For employees regularly exposed to high levels of silica dust, annual spirometry and health checks are typically required.
Lower-risk roles may require surveillance every two to three years. Baseline assessments are always needed before exposure begins.
What Are the Benefits of Health Surveillance for Silica Exposure?
The main benefit is that it protects employees from irreversible lung disease while helping employers meet their legal duties.
Detects early changes in lung function.
Provides reassurance to employees working in dusty environments.
Ensures compliance with COSHH.
Reduces sickness absence and costly claims.
Demonstrates employer duty of care and regulatory compliance.
What Symptoms Are Monitored During Silica Surveillance?
Surveillance monitors for persistent coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and fatigue.
Spirometry tests are particularly valuable, as they can reveal early lung function decline before symptoms appear.
Our team ensures timely intervention and reduces the risk of chronic illness developing.
Is Health Surveillance for Silica a Legal Requirement?
Under COSHH, medical surveillance is mandatory for workers regularly exposed to respirable crystalline silica.
Employers must provide baseline and periodic assessments and retain records for at least 40 years, given the long latency of occupational diseases.
Non-compliance can lead to HSE enforcement action, fines, or prosecution.
What Is the Cost of Health Surveillance for Silica Exposure?
The cost of health surveillance islance for silica exposure is from £80 to £120 per employee.
Medical reviews by occupational health physicians may range from £150–£200+ per employee.
The cost depends on the number of employees and the type of monitoring required.
Larger businesses often benefit from tailored packages that reduce per-person costs.
What Happens If Abnormal Results Are Found?
If abnormal lung function results are detected, the employee will be referred for further assessment and may be temporarily reassigned to lower-risk duties.
Employers must review dust control measures such as ventilation, water suppression, and PPE use.
Acting quickly ensures compliance with occupational health advice and protects staff from further harm.
How Are Health Records Managed for Silica Surveillance?
Employers must store health surveillance records securely and retain them for at least 40 years.
These include baseline assessments, spirometry results, and medical certificates.
Records remain confidential but must be available for inspection by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on request.
Proper record keeping ensures compliance and long-term protection for employees.
Get a Free Quote for Medical Assessments for Silica Exposure
At Health Surveillance, we provide technician-led assessments for silica exposure , we provide professional monitoring programmes to safeguard employees and support employers in meeting their legal obligations.
Our surveillance services ensure early detection of illness, compliance with COSHH, and reassurance for staff in high-risk industries.
Contact Health Surveillance for Silica Exposure today to arrange your workplace monitoring programme.
Other Services We Offer
At Health Surveillance, we offer a wide range of services; some of these include:
Health Surveillance for Skin Checks
Health Surveillance for Asbestos
Health Surveillance for Bakery Workers
Health Surveillance for Benzene
Health Surveillance for Radiation Workers
Health Surveillance for Formaldehyde
Health Surveillance for COSHH
Health Surveillance for Dermatitis
Health Surveillance for Mental Health