For patients at risk of developing silicosis, occupational health assessments should primarily involve pre-placement screening and ongoing worker surveillance Vearrier & Greenberg 2011.
Pre-placement screening is crucial to identify individuals who may be at increased risk due to pre-existing conditions before they begin work in environments with potential silica exposure Vearrier & Greenberg 2011. This type of assessment helps to ensure that workers are medically fit for the specific demands and hazards of their role Vearrier & Greenberg 2011.
Following initial screening, continuous worker surveillance is essential to monitor the health of individuals exposed to silica dust over time Vearrier & Greenberg 2011. This ongoing monitoring helps to detect early signs of health effects related to exposure and allows for timely intervention Vearrier & Greenberg 2011.
Key References
- NG12 - Suspected cancer: recognition and referral
- NG202 - Obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome and obesity hypoventilation syndrome in over 16s
- CKS - Breathlessness
- CKS - Lung and pleural cancers - recognition and referral
- CKS - Raynaud's phenomenon
- CKS - Bronchiectasis
- (Vearrier and Greenberg, 2011): Occupational health of miners at altitude: adverse health effects, toxic exposures, pre-placement screening, acclimatization, and worker surveillance.