It is very important for companies to ensure that a employees are fit for work and that their roles will not be detrimental to the health or vice versa.
In addition, it is necessary to know a person’s health status in relation to their work environments. For example the status of one’s hearing is vital if they are going to be working in a noisy environment to ensure that the company isn’t held responsible for pre-existing hearing loss.
An OHA is designed to ascertain whether:-
- The job is likely to negatively impact the individual’s health.
- The job is within the individual’s physical and mental capabilities.
- If the individual’s health will not affect his/her ability to perform the job tasks
- If the individual would be a risk to themselves and/or others.
Any reasonable adjustments which should necessarily be made by the employer to avoid the individual being disadvantaged can be recommended after an OHA
Health surveillance is a vital component of the OHA. The following may be carried out;
- Lung function tests
- Skin inspection
- Hearing Tests (Audiometry)
- Vision testing
- Heart function testing
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Biological monitoring
- Hand Arm Vibration Assessments
- Night Worker Assessments
- Work at height assessments
- Food handlers assessments
- Lone work assessments
- Cold store work assessments
- Sportsmen assessments
- Offshore assessments (OGUK/NOGEPA)
- Seafarers assessments (NOGEPA)
Then these tests should be carried out prior to employment commencing, to protect both employer and employee and be followed through periodic/annual monitoring.
Do contact Scope OH for further details of how we can help.
