Occupational Health for the Food and Drink Sector

The Key Chronic Health Risks

Employees in this sector face chronic conditions that develop over time, often due to daily exposure:

• Respiratory Illness: Workers in milling, baking, and dry goods are exposed to high levels of flour dust and other protein sensitisers. This is a leading cause of occupational asthma/rhinitis in the UK.
• Skin Disorders: Frequent wet work, the use of strong cleaning chemicals, and constant glove use lead to contact and irritant dermatitis. The food industry has one of the highest rates of work-related skin disease (dermatitis).
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): High repetition, forceful movements (e.g., cutting, boning), and working in cold conditions contribute to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic back pain, and work-related upper limb disorders (WRULDs).
• Noise Exposure: The operation of mixers, conveyor belts, packaging machines, and industrial refrigeration equipment often exceeds safe limits, posing a risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
• Psychological Stress: High-demand production targets, cold working conditions, and rigid shift patterns contribute to high rates of stress, depression, and anxiety compared to other manufacturing sectors.

A dedicated occupational health programme is necessary not just for treating symptoms, but for identifying and controlling the underlying workplace causes to maintain a healthy, productive workforce.

Essential Occupational Health Services

Due to the specific environmental and handling hazards, statutory health surveillance and targeted fit for work assessments are the cornerstones of an effective occupational health programme in food and drink manufacturing.

Statutory Health Surveillance and Medicals

We manage your legal obligation to monitor employee health where risks cannot be eliminated:

• Respiratory Surveillance: Mandatory for employees exposed to respiratory sensitisers, such as flour dust, spices, or enzymes. Spirometry assessments deliver early detection, which is key to preventing severe occupational asthma.
• Skin Surveillance: Regular checks and advice for workers in wet, cleaning, or handling roles to spot and manage the early signs of occupational dermatitis.
• Audiometry: Hearing tests are essential monitoring for all employees working in high-noise zones to ensure compliance with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations.
• Hand-Arm Vibration (HAVS) Surveillance: For those using handheld vibrating machinery in processing or construction roles within the facility.

Musculoskeletal and Absence Management

MSDs are the single most significant cause of absence in this sector. Our services focus on quick intervention and prevention:

• MSK Assessments & Physiotherapy: Rapid clinical assessment and referral to fast-track recovery from strains, sprains, and repetitive injuries, dramatically reducing long-term sickness absence.
• Pre-Placement Health Assessments: Focused on physical capacity and previous MSK history to ensure new hires are a safe fit for physically demanding roles, such as manual handling or cold store work.
• Management Referrals: Expert advice on complex or long-term absence cases, providing clear recommendations on phased returns, reasonable adjustments, and fitness to return to the production line.

Mobile Medical Units – Delivering Medicals Directly On-Site

We understand that removing your essential workers from site for medicals is costly and inefficient. We offer a flexible, mobile, and compliance-driven solution designed for the operational demands of the food and drink sector.

Our unique advantage is our mobile medical units. These fully equipped units travel directly to your facility, minimising disruption to your daily operations and saving you time and money.

We manage your end-to-end compliance, from the initial pre-placement screening through to required exit medicals, providing a clear audit trail that protects your business from future health claims. Our clinical team are experts in the specific assessments needed for your industry, giving you confidence in the fitness of your safety-critical workforce.