Occupational Health Assessments and ongoing case management via secure video contact have proven to improve employee retention, and have a very high uptake with our clients.
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What is an occupational health assessment?
An employee may be referred to an occupational health provider for an independent occupational health assessment where there is concern about their health, work performance (where there may be health implications) or number of sickness absences.
Occupational health assessments are also known as sickness absence referrals, return to work assessments or management referrals.
The employee’s GP, whilst understanding the health issues and their patient, may not understand the work processes or the hazards present in the workplace. More importantly, the patient/Doctor relationship is primarily based on the GP being supportive of their patient, and making decisions about employment difficult due to conflicting interests between work and health.
An independent occupational health assessment, by a qualified nurse or doctor who has an additional qualification and experience in occupational health, is a way of obtaining a work-focused, objective and medically competent opinion. This is particularly important for high-risk work, when long-term capability is in question, or the situation is complicated with domestic issues and/or conflicts with management.
When should we organise an occupational health assessment?
An occupational health assessment can be organised at any time including where:
- There is concern that the employee may have work related health problems or that their health is being aggravated by work tasks
- The employee has difficulty coping on return after being absent, following a serious illness or injury or due to a disability
- There may be underlying ill health or disability contributing to performance issues
- There is long-term sickness absence, or frequent sickness absences within a short time period
The assessment can take place via secure video link, telephone, or face to face; depending on the nature of the health issue. Many conditions can be discussed over a secure video link.
How do we make a referral to occupational health?
If you are concerned about an employee in your care and wish to make a referral for an occupational health assessment, these are the steps you will be required to take.
- The reason for the referral must be discussed with the employee, and where possible, their signed consent obtained.
- If it is not possible for the employee to sign the consent form, but they have agreed to the referral (for instance, if they are absent from work) then a copy should be sent to the employee at the same time as confidentially forwarding it to occupational health.
- Discussion and agreement with the employee regarding who else may require access to the occupational health report once received should take place prior to the referral.
- An occupational health Assessment Referral Form, provided by MCL Medics’ booking team, must be completed by the referring manager, and returned to the booking team.
Occupational Health Assessments (OHAs) are evaluations conducted to identify any potential hazards or risks to an individual’s health in relation to their work environment. The assessments can be customised to suit your organisation’s and the employee’s specific needs and are carried out by qualified occupational health professionals. They make it easy for you to start creating a plan for supporting the health and well-being of your workforce.
Multiple types of occupational health assessment vary depending on the nature of the industry and work environment. Some of the main ones include the following:
Occupational Health Assessment Types
Pre-Employment Health Screening
A pre-employment assessment, also called a pre-placement health assessment, screening, or check, is conducted by an occupational healthcare provider before the employee accepts an offer of employment.
Some roles will require an assessment to be completed before a job is offered because of the area of the work, fitness standard and risks.
The assessment consists of questionnaires and medical examinations. A questionnaire helps determine if there is any problem and if further assistance is required. If the questionnaires find any issues requiring further investigation, the employee may undergo a medical examination.
The pre-employment assessment aims to establish baseline health records for comparisons, assess how the job may affect employees’ health, make reasonable adjustments for a better working environment, and ensure the medical fitness of the employees.
Health Surveillance
Health surveillance involves monitoring employees’ health when exposed to various workplace hazards such as noise, hazardous substances, or vibration. The surveillance covers multiple types of checks and monitors employees’ health. Some of the risks covered include:
- Noise
- Vibration
- Ionising radiation
- Hazardous substances like solvents, fumes, dust and biological agents
These health surveillance checks can help detect ill health effects early, followed by control measures to prevent them from worsening.
Health surveillance can be required in some organisations depending on the employer’s risk assessment findings.
Health checks can help employees understand the risks they may be prone to, and they can highlight the symptoms they may have to the employer. Some common Health Surveillance Assessments include:
- Lung functions tests
- Hearing tests
- Skin checks
- Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) checks
Fitness for Work Assessments
Fitness for work assessments or examinations evaluates employees’ fitness to perform their job safely and securely. The assessment can be conducted periodically or in response to changes in the employee’s health status, workplace environment and work duties.
Fitness for work assessments differs from pre-employment assessments in that they are carried out regularly to assess employees’ working lives. Also, some roles require fitness for work assessments as a legal requirement to maintain the position.
The fitness for work assessment aims to determine if an employee is medically fit to perform their task effectively and safely.
Additionally, the assessment may be required when an employee has a physical condition that may:
- Prevent or hinder them from performing the job effectively
- Pose a risk to others in the workplace
- This could be made worse by the job activity
- Make specific tasks and work environments unsafe for them and others
Roles require higher physical and mental capacity and fitness for work assessments. Some of the roles that may require a Fitness for Work Assessment include those that involve:
- Working at heights
- Working in confined workspaces
- Working in extreme temperatures and extreme weather
- Driving operations
- Lone working
- Driving heavy goods vehicles
- Piloting commercial aircrafts
- Crane operation
- Forklift truck operation
- Night shift work
Return-to-Work Assessments
Return-to-work assessments are often undertaken after a sickness absence; sometimes, they can be tied with fitness assessments. The assessment determines the employee’s readiness to resume work duties.
It also helps the employer understand the nature of the absence and determine if adjustments are necessary to ensure the job is carried out safely and effectively while addressing any issues that may result in further sickness absences.
This assessment is vital because it assists employees in getting back to the workplace while having the support they need to carry out their roles.
Workstation Assessments
These are also known as ergonomic assessments. These evaluations assess a workstation’s design and setup, ensuring it suits the individual’s needs and minimizes the risk of musculoskeletal disorders or other work-related injuries.
The workstation assessment can lead to recommendations, including seating, desk height and computer equipment.
Stress Risk Assessments
Occupational health professionals can support a business in conducting stress risk assessments, which can help determine factors in the workplace that may cause employees to experience mental health issues.
Employers are legally responsible for protecting their workers from stress and its impact on health. As an employer, you must:
- Evaluate the risk of stress amongst your staff members
- Take action to remove the risk
- Mitigate the risk as much as you can find removal is not possible
These assessments help employers identify and manage areas of work design that can affect stress levels. They also help you decide whether you have done enough or should do more to prevent stress in the workplace.
Occupational Health Assessments play a vital role in safeguarding employees’ health and well-being, promoting a safe and healthy work environment, and facilitating the effective management of occupational health risks.
