Pre-Employment Medical Examinations

Pre-employment medical examinations are carried out before a new worker commences work or before an existing worker is transferred from one working environment/position to another that is different from their previous working environment/position. The purpose of this health assessment is to determine whether the individual is physically and psychologically fit to perform a particular job and to work in a particular environment. These assessments are vital in ensuring that his or her placement in this job will not represent a danger to his or her health or to the health of other workers. 

The type of tests and assessments to be done is determined by the health of the employee as well as the workplace exposures. These tests may include: basic screening – vitals, body mass index and urinalysis; vision screening; chest x-ray; hearing function test (audiometry); lung function test (spirometry) and blood tests (blood sugar, full blood count, liver and kidney function tests). Further tests and assessments are considered as per needs basis and for further interrogation of abnormal results.

Objectives include:

• ensuring the employee is psychologically and physically fit for the work they are being employed to do

• establishing a baseline of the employees’ health status at the start of employment; this is used as a reference point for subsequent health assessments

• identifying any health conditions the employee may be having that may pose a risk to the workplace/other workers

Periodic Medical Examinations

Periodic Medical Examinations are performed at pre-determined intervals during employment that involves exposure to potential hazards. It is also done to ensure that the employee has maintained their psychological and physical health from the pre-employment medical examination. It enables early detection of any adverse health conditions that the worker may be having from their own health conditions or as a result of exposure to the hazards in the workplace.

Objectives include:

• identifying any adverse health effects caused by work practices or exposures to potential hazards as early as possible

• monitoring personal exposure using biological monitoring

• early detection of possible onset of an occupational disease

• verifying the effectiveness of existing controls and determining whether there is a need to revise them

Fitness-to-work and Return-to-work Medical Examinations

Fitness-to-work and Return-to-work Medical Examinations are required to authorize the resumption of work after a long absence for health reasons, or in rare circumstances, other reasons. This examination is used to determine the workers’ ability to resume or return to the job they were employed for and further advises if there is a need to modify the working environment or demands of the job for the worker to safely resume the duties they were employed for.

General Medical Examinations

General Medical Examinations may be performed through the occupational health service at the employer’s request. These are usually voluntary with the complement and frequency of tests pre-determined by the employer. They may be available to the entire workforce or only to certain groups determined by their position in the organization, their health status, length of employment and/or age of the individual. The assessments conducted may be comprehensive or may be limited to screenings for particular diseases or health risks. 

Exit Medical Examinations

Exit Medical Examinations are performed after the termination of assignment involving hazards which could cause or contribute to future health impairment. The purpose of this health assessment is to make a final evaluation of a worker’s health, compare it with previous medical examinations and to assess how the prior job assignments may have affected their health.

Objectives include:

• determination whether the exiting employee is leaving the organization in a healthy state

• ensuring that any ailments or adverse effects that may have developed due to an employee’s employment are identified and managed accordingly

• having a baseline for the employee’s next job, if required