Medical surveillance in the workplace is an integral part of occupational health surveillance. Surveillance is the close observation of a person or group, especially those identified by the risk assessment. It refers to the detection of adverse health effects resulting from occupational exposures at as early a stage as possible, so that appropriate preventive measures can be instituted promptly. For this reason, medical surveillance is placed at a secondary level of prevention as the adverse health effect is still reversible or more easily treatable.

Medical surveillance should have a clearly defined objective for targeted employees and medical procedures, such as questionnaires and health examinations, must be available to achieve the objective. Medical surveillance must be risk based and tailored to a specific adverse health effect that is to be prevented. Medical surveillance for ergonomics should be either incorporated into existing medical surveillance, for employers who have already implemented such surveillance or establish ergonomics medical surveillance for the workplace.

Medical surveillance is performed at regular pre-determined intervals; at the beginning, termination of employment and throughout the employment period and/or as determined by the occupational medicine practitioner. Medical surveillance must be carried out by occupational medicine practitioners and occupational health practitioners.

Medical surveillance includes the following elements: