How Routine Blood Tests for Employees Can Reveal Hidden Health Risks in the Workplace

Occupational health (OH) is an integral part of a proactive workplace focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of employees. Routine blood tests for employees can help to identify possible health problems and serious diseases at an early stage, and are easily integrated as part of a programme of employee health checks. Helping your employees identify hidden health risks not only fosters a caring, healthier workplace environment, a proactive approach can also reduce sickness-related absences, and boost productivity and morale.

Hidden Health Risks Identified by Workplace Blood Tests

People, in general, tend to only visit their doctor when they are already sick. This makes it easy for certain illnesses to go undetected for some time. By implementing workplace blood tests as part of your proactive OH strategy, health risks can be identified that might otherwise go unnoticed, including:

• Cardiovascular risks: Some employees might not realise that they have high cholesterol. Both high blood pressure and high cholesterol are key contributing factors to heart disease and stroke, which is why assistance with early detection is important with an employee health check that includes a blood test for cholesterol.

• Metabolic risks: Like high blood pressure, diabetes does not always display many symptoms, which is why employees might not realise they have it. A simple finger-prick diabetes screening and prevention (HbA1c) blood test can detect the signs of prediabetes and diabetes early, helping the employee to do whatever is necessary to prevent or treat the disease.

• Organ function: Occupational exposure to chemical substances, such as solvents and paints, could affect the function of the kidneys and liver. Liver and kidney function tests can identify signs of early damage as a result of exposure.

• Underlying conditions: Anaemia, vitamin deficiencies, and thyroid imbalances can greatly affect employees’ general wellbeing. Thyroid imbalances and anaemia, for example, will affect an employee’s energy and concentration, which will have an effect on their productivity. A workplace blood test can help identify signs of these and other underlying conditions.

An Introduction to Blood Testing Panels

Blood testing panels are a group of blood tests that combine to provide a fuller picture of a person’s health. These are some of the common blood testing panels:

• Full blood count: A test that can help identify anaemia, infection, and general haematological issues.

• Lipid profile: This test measures cholesterol and triglycerides, which assesses possible cardiovascular risks.

• Glucose and HbA1c tests: These two tests are the main screening tests used to assess blood sugar levels and identify the possibility of prediabetes or diabetes. Glucose tests record blood sugar levels at a single point in time, whilst an HbA1c test shows the average blood sugar over a period of 2-3 months.

• Liver and kidney function tests: These tests focus on organ health and identify signs of toxicity.

• Toxicology and heavy metal tests: These are more specialised tests, focusing on specific chemical exposures such as blood lead level.

How Workplace Blood Tests Benefit Companies

By making blood tests for employees part of your OH programme, your company can reveal hidden health risks in the workplace and expect to see various long-term benefits, such as:

• Proactive risk management: Monitoring employee health trends over time makes it possible to determine whether specific positions or departments are contributing to negative health effects.

• Reduce absenteeism/presenteeism: Ill health costs UK companies billions each year. Through early detection of employee health issues, the company is better able to address absenteeism and presenteeism (working while ill) with timely intervention, including making accommodations for certain employees. Identifying potential health conditions can help employees seek early prevention measures or treatment, reducing the need for long-term sick leave if conditions are caught and managed early.

• Improved employee wellbeing: By investing in your employees’ wellbeing through workplace blood tests, your company is taking a proactive approach that shows employees the company truly cares about their health. This can help to increase morale and retention as people want to work where they feel valued.

When any blood test undertaken with HealthClinic2You shows indications of a possible health condition, the employee is able to seek further investigation with a GP or specialist.

How to Book Health Checks for Employees

If you wish to book blood tests for your employees, you can make an enquiry or booking request via our online booking form. Our streamlined process at HealthClinic2You keeps it simple, safe, and efficient for companies, with our trained pharmacists and nurses attending your premises on a day and time that suits you best.