Silica Medicals
Occupational Health
Silica Medicals
Who needs a Silica Medical?
Workers with prolonged exposure to airborne particles of respirable cystalline silica (RCS) can develop serious and life-changing respiratory conditions such as silicosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) states that health surveillance for silicosis should be considered for workers who are involved in high-risk occupations, including construction, foundry work, brick and tile work, ceramics, slate, manufacturing, quarries, and stonework.
If there is a regular exposure to RCS dust and there is a reasonable likelihood that silicosis may develop, health surveillance must be provided.
What is a Silica Medical?
Silica health surveillance medicals are a system of ongoing health checks for workers who are regularly exposed to RCS. These are carried out by our qualified Occupational Health professionals, and include a series of health checks on individuals, such as lung function tests, qustions on respiratory systems, and chest x-rays (if necessary).
Additionally, face fit testing is included as part of our Silica health surveillance. This is a procedure to ensure that a mask or Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) fits an individual’s face properly. A number of tests are carried out on workers as they are wearing their face coverings to ensure an adequate seal is provided. Correctly fitting face coverings are crucial in preventing inhalation of harmful silica dust, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the health surveillance programme.
Together, these measures help in the early detection of any adverse health effects, ensuring timely intervention and ongoing protection for workers, as well as compliance with HSE law.
How can I Arrange a Silica Medical for myself or for my employees?
As with most of our services, these can be at your workplace or our offices in Royal Wootton Bassett, near Swindon. If it’s only a handful of people that require medical assessments or just yourself, then our office works well, otherwise it makes sense to arrange at your workplace.
Complete one of the contact forms on this page or call the office on 01793 852951 to arrange your Silica medical now.
