Respiratory screening or lung function testing is just that, checking the function of the lungs to make sure nothing at work has reduced their function. It can also be known as spirometry. Under the Control of Substance Hazardous to Health regulations (COSHH), health surveillance is required where employees are at risk of ill health from substances they inhale. Typically this will include your work processes involving the use of respiratory sensitizers or where there is potential for ill-health effects from the dusts, vapours and gases employees may inhale.
This video explains what a lung function is, it gives a demonstration of how one is performed and some of the things that can affect the results of a lung function test.
Where can Lung Function Health Surveillance Checks be Carried Out?
As with most of our services, these can be at your workplace, worksite or our offices in Wootton Bassett. If it’s only a handful of people or individuals then our office works well otherwise it makes sense to arrange at your workplace or chosen location.
We have worked with Safewell for many years and are retained clients, so we have developed an excellent working relationship with the team. However, this really came into its own when Covid 19 appeared.
As a Plumbing and Heating business, we were able to carry on working during the lockdown but only for responding to emergencies. We were obviously very concerned about the health and safety of our employees and before we even had chance to get in touch with Safewell, they had emailed us offering their assistance. It is hard to put down on paper how that made us feel - we like everyone else felt totally at sea, which way to turn, what to do? But Safewell were there guiding, supporting and being totally brilliant. Their attention to detail is very impressive and reassuring and we feel able to ask lots of questions without feeling silly.
During the pandemic Safewell helped us to write risk assessments, safety procedures and protocols. They kept in touch regularly, issuing new guidance as soon as it appeared and checking in with us. They held group Q&A sessions over Zoom which were helpful, and knowing other businesses were facing the same challenges and having the opportunity to discuss issues was invaluable. Their help during the preparation for a full return to work was brilliant, they enabled us to be fully prepared and feel in control, and when we had our first case of Covid within the team, because we had planned our response it felt ok.
I think our team felt very reassured by our robust approach and that our office was Covid secure. We are extremely grateful to all the team at Safewell
