An Occupational Health Assessment is a consultation carried out by our qualified Safewell Occupational Health Professionals. The occupational health assessment is used to advise management on an employee’s health issues in relation to their work, and to make recommendations on reasonable adjustments that could be considered to ensure a safe/healthy working environment for that employee. All occupational health assessments are confidential.
An individual should be referred for an assessment where there is concern that they may have work related health problems or that their health is being aggravated by work tasks.
There are difficulties coping on return after being absent – following a serious illness or injury or due to a disability.
There may be underlying ill health or disability contributing to performance issues.
There is long term or frequent sickness absence.
If you are unsure whether a referral is appropriate, please contact us for further advice. In addition, the referral may be discussed with or initiated by your Human Resource (HR) advisers.
What happens during an Occupational Health Assessment?
Before you arrive for your assessment you will be given an Health screening questionnaire to complete. This comprises a series of tick box questions and answers that will ultimately help our Occupational Health Technicians learn more about your role in the work place and any previous or existing health conditions you may have. This allows us to see if any measures might need to be taken to help keep you healthy and protected in your working role.
HAS (Hand, Arm & Vibration) check You’ll be asked a series of questions about your hands and your use of tools to assess any effects of using vibration tools at work.
Blood pressure. This is a standard blood pressure check where you will only be asked to pull up your sleeve to allow the test to be taken.
Urinalysis You will be asked for a urine sample which is only tested for signs of protein or glucose, to look for signs of diabetes or infection. Skin health check
The OHA/T practitioner will ask what substances you work with and look at your hands to ensure that any hazardous material you may come into contact with is not damaging your skin, in line with COSHH regulations.
Colour vision test (Ishihara test) This is a standard colour vision test where you will be asked to identify numbers or letters within coloured images. Vision test
This eye test is carried out to DVLA standards and includes tests for near/ far, peripheral, depth perception, night vision, colour and display screen equipment.
Respiratory health check You’ll be asked to blow into a machine to set a baseline for your lung function and consider whether they might be affected by substances you may be exposed to at work under COSHH regulations.
Audiometry health check You’ll be asked to wear headphones to listen to and identify a series of beeps to set a baseline level for your hearing and assess whether your hearing might be affected by any loud noises that you are exposed to in your area of work.
What Happens after the Occupational Health Assessment?
A confidential report will be written, and with the employees signed consent the report will be sent to them and you (their employer). Each report is tailored to the employee and their individual situation. The report will include advice on any medical conditions and the effect on work, symptoms, prognosis, and likelihood of recovery, what adjustments could/should be considered, and over a suggested time frame.
Where can Occupational Health Assessments be Carried Out?
A confidential report will be written, and with the employees signed consent the report will be sent to them and you (their employer). Each report is tailored to the employee and their individual situation. The report will include advice on any medical conditions and the effect on work, symptoms, prognosis, and likelihood of recovery, what adjustments could/should be considered, and over a suggested time frame.
President of IOSH 2008, Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
I am pleased that you are helping dispel some of the dafter myths that surround OH&S (a passion you and I clearly have in common) and the item clearly indicates that as with so many of our professional colleagues you are not about stopping fun on the pretext of H&S. It is only with the help of people such as yourself that we will eventually get the message across that OH&S is about bringing (as you so aptly put it) purpose and value to peoples lives
