All workers undergo occupational health exams to ensure they can do their job safely and without risk. These include health screenings such as physical examinations and drug and alcohol tests antibody testing to check for immunity and other laboratory work.
Occupational health exams are done before employees start work to determine their fitness for the job and to make sure they have the required vaccinations to work in certain environments. These exams are a good way to avoid the unnecessary use of sick leave and also prevent serious illnesses or injuries from occurring in the workplace.
Many employers consider pre-employment medical checks to be an important element of the recruiting process. Employers can screen potential job applicants for certain health conditions that are exacerbated by their occupations such as heart disease or cancer. Pre-employment examinations may not always be accurate and may also discriminate against workers with disabilities (Pachman 2009).
What is a Pre-employment Physical Exam?
During a pre-employment physical exam, the doctor will perform a physical examination to verify the applicant is physically fit for the job. The employee can then be placed in a position that will best suit their needs and abilities. The examination should focus on the specific tasks that are required for the job not general health issues that might affect the ability to do the job safely.
The examination should include an initial health history physical exams and a series of drug and alcohol screenings a health professional will then evaluate the results and determine if the applicant is healthy enough to do the job.
What is a Periodical Medical Exam?
Besides a standard pre-employment medical examination, many employers require periodic medical evaluations for employees who are exposed to hazardous substances these types of assessments help monitor the employee overall health and ensure that they are safe to work around chemicals, fumes or dust.
An ear and hearing examination is common especially for workers who must work with noisy machinery or loud noises. These exams are used to diagnose ear infections and other ear problems as well as to prevent future ear infections.
Why are Pre-employment Health Examinations?
The primary purpose of pre-employment examinations is to find people with a higher risk of occupational disease, injury or sickness if they are employed. The employer may choose to provide work accommodations for these employees or not offer them employment depending on the risk level.
What is a Health Surveillance Program?
Occupational health surveillance programs are often conducted on a yearly basis and cover the monitoring of chemical exposures and other environmental hazards they can detect problems early and can be used to improve health management systems such as risk assessments.
Why are Occupational Health Assessments Needed?
During a workplace health assessment an employee who is suffering from an illness or injury can be referred to an occupational health provider. The provider will assess the employee and write a report to the employer the report will outline the diagnosis treatment and any necessary changes to the employee’s working conditions or responsibilities.
