In the light of advice from Public Health England on COVID-19, HSE has set out in guidance below, a proportionate and flexible approach to enable health/medical surveillance to continue. It applies where workers are undergoing periodic review under several sets of health and safety regulations. The guidance balances the current constraints presented by the COVID-19 outbreak and the need to protect the health, safety and welfare of workers. The guidance will be subject to review.
Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (CLAW)
For medical surveillance under CLAW, where workers continue to be significantly exposed to lead, blood tests should continue. However, where a worker has been having annual blood tests, their blood lead level is low and stable and their risks from exposure to lead have not changed, the blood test can be deferred for three months.
Where a worker’s periodic medical assessment is due, the appointed doctor can assess them by telephone. Providing there are no problems, the next full review can be scheduled three months later. Where there is a problem, a judgement can then be made on whether to see the worker face to face and, if so, how to do so safely.’
If required, please complete this questionnaire and return to helen@brydenmedical.com. Thank you.
Telephone Assessment Questionnaire for Periodic Medical.
Name__________________________________ Date of Birth______________
Address___________________________________________________________
Contact details Phone ______________________Email ____________________
Job Title____________________________________________________________
Employer’s name:____________________________________________________
How long have you worked with lead? _________________________________
What was your last blood lead measurement? _________________________
Do you have or have you had previously:
Symptoms of anaemia or tiredness? Yes No
Nerve damage or neurological problems? Yes No
Kidney problems or high blood pressure? Yes No
Cancer Yes No
Infertility? Yes No
Headaches? Yes No
Irritability or mental health issues? Yes No
Constipation, nausea, stomach pains or loss of weight? Yes No
Any other health issues? Yes No
Do you smoke? Yes No
Further information:
Also an unborn child is at particular risk from exposure to lead, especially in the early weeks before a pregnancy becomes known.
To the best of my knowledge, the information which I have given is correct and I give my consent to this medical assessment, which is for the purpose of health surveillance under the Control of Lead at Work Regulations. I authorize the release of medical information from this assessment to my G.P. if necessary. I understand that confidential information about health and medical history will be confidentially treated, processed and stored in a secure environment by Bryden Medical Limited and will only be accessed and processed by those staff that have explicit and reasonable need to do so, with due consideration for Data Protection (GDPR 2018).
Signed: ____________________________
Print Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________
Please email completed forms and any questions to Dr Helen Bryden at helen@brydenmedical.com Thank you.
