All you need to know about the Assessment of Occupational Health at Work

Occupational health assessments are a crucial step in determining whether an employee is physically and mentally fit for their job. In the current fast-paced environment of most organisations, many organisations have placed increased emphasis on ensuring the physical and psychological well-being of their employees as a means of sustaining or even increasing levels of employee productivity. The successful completion of an occupational health assessment will not only ensure an organisation meets the legal requirements associated with their health and safety obligations, but also create an organisation that has healthier, more engaged employees.

Types of Occupational Health Assessments

There are several types of occupational health assessments that have been designed to meet the unique needs of different organisations. Pre-employment assessments are conducted before hiring an applicant and are designed to ensure that the applicant is physically or mentally fit to perform the duties associated with the position they are being hired for.

Periodic assessments are conducted while an employee is actively employed and are designed to monitor the ongoing health of the employee, as well as to identify any potential new risks that may arise.

Return-to-work assessments are conducted when an employee returns to work following a period of absence due to an injury or illness and are designed to ensure the employee is sufficiently well to return to work and that their return to work will not pose any unnecessary health risks.

Fitness-for-task assessments are conducted to assess an employee’s physical or mental capabilities required for a specific job.

Benefits for Employees

Occupational health assessments can greatly assist employees in identifying their overall health and understanding if they need to improve their lifestyle. Early identification of health issues, such as diabetes or cardiovascular conditions, enables early treatment to avoid future serious complications.

Occupational health assessments are a necessary part of an employer's employee management system. When an employer prioritizes employee health and safety, it will result in a more engaged, productive, and resilient workforce.