Health surveillance allows for early identification of ill health and helps identify any corrective action needed. Health surveillance is required by Section 22 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 if a risk assessment identifies that employees are exposed to noise or vibration, solvents, fumes, dusts, biological agents and other substances hazardous to health. Regulation 63 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Quarries) Regulations, 2008 require that the Health Surveillance is made available before persons are assigned to particular work activities in the quarry where a Risk Assessment identifies Health Surveillance is required. The Quarry industry traditionally has issues with noise, dust and musco-skeletal disorders.

Health Surveillance techniques should be used to establish a baseline as part of a pre-employment medical. The employer should identify if a potential employee has existing conditions such as asthma or dermatitis that could be aggravated by their potential work activities such as contact with sensitizers or has an identifiable pre-existing level of hearing loss or respiratory problem.

Health surveillance is a system of ongoing health checks. These health checks may be required by law for employees who are exposed to noise or vibration, ionising radiation, solvents, fumes, dusts, biological agents and other substances hazardous to health, or work in compressed air.