What are pre-placement health assessments?
Your workers are your businesses most important asset, getting the right people into the right role is essential. Pre-placement health assessments are a key management tool, which form part of the recruitment process. They can only be requested following an employment offer has been made.
The purpose of the post job offer pre placement medical assessment or pre placement is screening is to ensure your prospective employee is physically and psychologically fit to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of the proposed role. The screening ensures the role and duties do not impact the prospective employee’s health. If health related issues are raised, occupational health can make recommendations to reduce the risk for your business.
Pre-placement assessments can be offered remotely online or using a pre-placement health questionnaire, and reviewed by an occupational health practitioner. They are categorised as fit for work, fit for work with restrictions or not fit for work. Sometimes a phone assessment is required prior to providing medical opinion.
Depending upon the industry some pre-placement medicals are required onsite, where a face to face assessment is required. Usually, this is best suited to prospective employees who are exposed to noise, skin or vibration.
Do I need to carry out pre-placement health assessments?
Pre-placements provide a base line to establish health levels before exposure to the workplace hazards. E.g. a hearing test on an employee working in a noise hazard area. If your business has known risks, which can impact health, or health can complicate the risks, then you may wish to consider pre placement screening, to know your work force and reduce potential litigation.
How can occupational health help my business?
Occupational health can help you consider adjustments that could be made to assist the prospective employee in their new post. The pre-placement health assessment provides a means of early identification of those in need of assistance or extra protection in accordance with The Equality Act 2010.
We can assess how the job will adversely affect the prospective employee’s health and make recommendations to reduce the risk if necessary.
We can ensure prospective employees are medically fit to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of the post.
Pre-Placement Paper Screening and Pre-Placement Medicals are completely bespoke to ensure that they are tailored to the hazards and risks within your business and industry.
Give us a ring to see how we can help.