Fit for Work Assessments/Periodic Medicals
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, as employer you have a duty of care to prevent ill health in your workers. In some workplaces, working at heights or performing safety critical tasks, require you to evidence that your workers are medically fit to complete their work safety, so not to compromise their health or risk the health and safety of others.
A safety critical medical will ensure compliance and reassures employers that the worker is fit for their role. The assessment will look at medical conditions, medication or medical treatments that could affect concentration, balance and co-ordination and it will assess the risk for sudden incapacity or disabling events. Further details can be found on the HSE website.
What industries have safety critical roles?
Safety-Critical Medicals are most commonly required for the construction industry and construction-related works. Some other industries such as engineering, manufacturing, woodworking and offshore may also use the phrase ‘safety-critical medical’ to describe health surveillance medicals for their workers. Roles include fork lift truck operators, workers in confined space, plant machinery, drivers and lone workers.
What is a safety
critical medical?
A safety critical medical can include the following tests, depending upon the employee’s risk assessment.
- A baseline questionnaire to establish current and previous medical history and/or ongoing treatment
- Blood Pressure checks – Cardiovascular
- Height, weight and BMI
- Audiometry-hearing tests
- Lung Function tests
- Skin Assessments
- HAVs assessments (if required)
- Visual Acuity, colour vision and peripheral vision
- Muscular-skeletal assessment
- Mental Health assessment
- Drug & Alcohol testing - If requested
The medical normally takes around 45-60 minutes for the standard tests. The time required will depend on the job role, the risks and the tests required. If additional assessments such as alcohol testing are requested, the process may take longer.
Following the assessment, the worker will be issued a safety critical medical certificate, which will display the fitness decision based upon their current health.
If this is something you require for your business, give us a ring to find out how we can help you.