Health Assessment/Screening

Health assessment / screening is a way if identifying apparently healthy people who may have increased health risk in a particular set of circumstances. It is used to prevent and reduce work related health issues with focus on establishing an employee’s health status and thereby suitability for a particular role prior to engagement with a particular task or exposure to a hazard. It can be an effective way of raising awareness, increasing employee morale and reducing sickness absence levels. It is proactive and preventative and should be evidence-based, determined by standards required of the job being considered or undertaken.  Health screening is considered ‘good practice’ and an effective way to promote positive lifestyle changes. 

Health assessment/screening is not a legal requirement whereas Health Surveillance is a statutory legal requirement described as a system of ongoing health checks. These health checks may be required by law for employees who are exposed to noise or vibration, ionising radiation, solvents, fumes, dusts, biological agents and other substances hazardous to health.

Health Surveillance and Safety Critical Medicals | The University of Edinburgh

COSHH | The University of Edinburgh ​​​

• It encourages preventative action
• It decreases absenteeism
• It gives you an understanding of your exposure to future health risks
• It helps to increase staff morale
• It provides employees with clear information about their health
• It raises health awareness in the workplace