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Where employees are exposed to hazards over a certain limit, there is a need to check in on them from time to time to be sure that the hazards aren’t affecting their long term health.
The most common hazards are Noise, Inhalation of toxic or Carcinogenic substances, Welding, and the use of powered tools.
Also, some employees may feel sick or overwhelmed by the work if there are any underlying health conditions.
Where problems do exist, having valuable baseline health data is super important.
In such cases, an employer should contact an occupational health assessment professional and carry out an assessment to ensure work efficiency and a good work health environment.
In this blog post, we have discussed at length about Occupational Health Screening; starting from what occupational health screening is when it is needed, types of occupational health screening, the benefits to employees AND the business, and how to get the best from your provider (I.E. making sure the provider supports senior management on scheduling, outcomes and recommendations).
What is Occupational Health Screening?
As the name suggests, occupational health screening focuses on the mental as well as physical wellbeing of employees in a workplace.
Additionally, occupational health screening aims to prevent work-related illness and injury while promoting the well-being of employees.
Moreover, it also encourages safe working practices, analyses ergonomics, evaluates employee health and supports management in reducing sickness absence.
Occupational health screening consists of various health checks and support from healthcare professionals that keep employees healthy.
Occupational Health Screening, in most cases, determines if an employee is suitable for the job role or not. Let’s say, if an employee needs to do tasks like heavy lifting and other repetitive physical challenging work, a health screening will perform all the necessary tests- examining the health status and ability of that employee to perform the tasks.
Why Should an Employer Choose Occupational Health Assessment?
Based on the field you work in and its regulations, health screening serves multiple purposes including but not limited to –
Gathering information on employment to be fully prepared for any issues, and to assist with any future problems that may arise
Ensuring an employee’s ability to meet the physical demands of the work
Examining staff’s health at regular intervals if they are working with hazardous substances and their long term effects
Assessing an employee’s ability to perform a task after prolonged sick absence
Evaluating the condition of disabled workers to carry out the job demands
When Is An Occupational Health Screening Required?
Firstly, on employment screening, or if employees have been employed for a long time, Health screening is something to consider immediately to get a baseline of Data. This is not mandatory, however, it is quick, easy and low cost… And it protects the Employee and the employer for whatever comes in the future.
To promote good standards of Health and demonstrate a commitment from proactive businesses.
If an employee was on sick leave for a longer period of time, the employer might want to examine the employee’s health status and ensure that he is able to carry out tasks with efficiency.
A mandatory screening if an employee is exposed to identified hazards above or close to exposure limits including Noise, Chemicals, Fumes, Welding and Fabrication, Vibration and others such as Blood Borne Virus (BBVs).
Occupational health screening can be done through the company’s own occupational health services, or a company can also seek support from an outside provider.
Make sure the provider offers support to employees in ensuring the needs of Occupational health and the Hazards / Symptoms are communicated. This is commonly an afterthought which by then is too late.
The Benefits of Occupational Health Screening –
Occupational health screening is beneficial for both employers and employees.
Employer’s benefits of occupational health screening –
- Reduced Sickness and Absence
- Higher staff retention, engagement and productivity
- Better scope of team-working
- Higher job satisfaction
- Compliance with Legislative requirements
Employees benefits of occupational health screening –
- Reduction in health risks
- Better task performance
- Improved mental and physical health
- Efficiency at the workplace
- Overcoming health and work stress issues
- Identifying undiscovered health problems
- Accessing lifestyle advice to enhance health
Types of Occupational Health Screening –
There are multiple types of occupational health screening. Some of them are –
→ Pre-employment health checks –
Pre-employment health checks are for new workers to assess their health and capacity to perform the task with sustainability.
→ Lifestyle checks –
As a part of an employee assistance programme, lifestyle checks are offered to each staff member.
→ Health Surveillance –
If an employee is exposed to dangerous substances at work, it becomes a legal requirement to conduct a health survey for them.
How Consulting Firm Supports You In Carrying Out An Occupational Health Screening –
A good, reputable provider can help you assess the full needs of your business, develop a full plan of options, schedule appointments, carry out the Health Screening and provide specific reports and support to the business.
All assessments and screening should be completed by a trained technician and where needed, overseen by an occupational health nurse or doctor.
The assessment will include checking details on the employee referrals form and discussing the contents about current health problems and recommending the best advice based on that.
Moreover, it includes talks about the job role and activities involved in it and identifies areas where employees might experience difficulties.
How Orbis Environmental And Safety Helps You With Occupational Health Screening –
When a business makes an appointment with Orbis, your needs are discussed as soon as you are ready. Is free and will offer full detailed advice on what you will need.
There is no cost for this. We promote good standards on what to expect so you’re aware of what’s available to your business.
During the consultation, all the relevant information is collected to offer good advice.
From there, you can decide to have a needs analysis commissioned, or simply allocate the services discussed and the needs analysis is done as the surveillance begins.
The Next Stage Is Completing The Screening With Employees.
The information that Orbis collects includes the query about the pre-existing and ongoing treatment of any of the employees. Plus, it also consists of an examination of any difficulties arising at the workplace.
Moreover, sometimes health professionals may require an employee’s health history to provide a detailed and accurate report. However, an explanation will be given for the asked information.
During the screening, we offer awareness training of the hazards and the likely symptoms employees are likely to identify if there is a problem, and we also share the full communication and escalation procedure with the employee (as agreed with the business prior).
Before approaching a GP or hospital specialist, a sign of consent is taken from each employee.
After completing the whole procedure, the health & safety professional sends a certificate of fitness for work. The certificate includes details about an employee’s ability to perform work along with a proposal for any job modification to support them in the workplace, in case of any.
To conduct an effective and cost-effective occupational health screening, you can visit the service section of our website or drop your information in the comment section below.
You can also drop a mail at [email protected] or call us on – 01656 470 044
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