An Occupational Health Assessment, which can also be referred to as a Workplace Health Assessment or a Safety-Critical Medical, is a medical examination performed by a trained Occupational Health Physician/Adviser due to an employee’s prolonged illness, work-related illness, or it can be an assessment for prospective employees.
In many cases, Occupational Health Assessments are the ideal way to assess the health and wellbeing of your workforce.
Say an employee has been off work due to ill health, or poor health is currently affecting their ability to perform daily work duties to the best of their ability. Or maybe you have a prospective employee that is required to be medically compatible with their new role of employment.
Reducing staff absence with Occupational Health Assessments in the workplace
According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), there were 32.5 million working days lost due to work-related ill health in 2019/2020 and 1.6 million reported work-related ill health cases. Musculoskeletal disorders and stress, depression or anxiety were the leading causes of ill health cases and working days lost.
So, the main aim of these assessments is to advise employers on the employee's health and make recommendations on what adjustments could be considered to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for that employee and their fitness for work.
What is a Pre-placement Assessment?
The purpose of a Pre-Placement Assessment is to ensure that any prospective employees are both physically and psychologically fit to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of their proposed job role, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and UK Health and Safety legislation.
The assessment is designed to identify a range of health problems that may require ongoing advice or supportive management and adjustments from their employer.
We’ll then suggest reasonable adjustments and adaptions in the case of vulnerable or disabled employees, and review ongoing medical conditions and any limitations in the job requirements that do not constitute a health hazard to others.
We understand how important it is for businesses to support their employees’ occupational health and wellbeing in order to manage illness, sickness and fitness for work. That’s why we deliver our bespoke solutions through a partnership approach and early intervention programme to drive through absence cases quickly and efficiently.
We have a plethora of services that are designed to complement our workplace health assessments, and these are delivered in several ways:
Timely advice to manage illness within the workplace through our fitness for work and return to work strategies.
Our holistic approach offers time-efficient, employee-centric advice to manage individual cases and provide employees with effective rehabilitation strategies.
Our flexible support tool that manages and supports your employee health surveillance programme.
Physical therapies and new digitally-enabled physiotherapy and musculoskeletal interventions.
Our end-to-end psychological support services deliver a range of preventative solutions combined with a diverse range of rehabilitative treatment options.
We’ll develop bespoke strategies that focus upon physical, psychological and social health, improving your employees’ wellbeing.
Why is an Occupational Health Assessment Important?
An Occupational Health Assessment plays a vital role in helping employers meet their duty of care while supporting employees to stay healthy, safe, and productive in the workplace. By arranging timely Occupational Health Assessments, businesses can:
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Reduce long-term sickness absence.
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Support employees with long-term or complex health conditions.
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Ensure legal compliance with Health & Safety legislation.
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Promote wellbeing and resilience across the workforce.
Ultimately, an Occupational Health Assessment is not just about meeting statutory obligations - it’s about creating a healthier, more engaged workforce and reducing the cost of absenteeism to your business.
Other types of Occupational Health Assessments
Depending on your organisation’s needs, an Occupational Health Assessment can take several forms:
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Management Referral Assessments – when managers refer an employee due to concerns about health or prolonged absence.
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Fitness-for-Work Assessments – to determine whether an employee is fit to continue working in their role.
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Return-to-Work Assessments – to support employees coming back after illness or injury.
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Specialist Assessments – including mental health, musculoskeletal, or workplace ergonomic assessments.
By tailoring each occupational health assessment to the situation, employers can make evidence-based decisions that protect both the employee and the business.
FAQs About Occupational Health Assessments
How long does an Occupational Health Assessment take?
Most assessments last between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity of the employee’s health condition and the information required by the employer.
Who conducts an Occupational Health Assessment?
Assessments are carried out by qualified Occupational Health physicians, advisors, or other healthcare specialists trained in workplace health and legislation.
Is an Occupational Health Assessment confidential?
Yes. Employee medical information is kept strictly confidential. Only relevant recommendations relating to fitness for work or reasonable adjustments are shared with the employer.
Do employees have to attend an Occupational Health Assessment?
While not always legally mandatory, refusal to attend could affect an employee’s ability to access reasonable workplace adjustments. Employers should always explain the benefits of attending.
What happens after an Occupational Health Assessment?
A confidential report is shared with the employer, outlining whether the employee is fit for work, partially fit with adjustments, or unfit. The report may include recommendations such as flexible working, reduced hours, or workplace adaptations.
What are the benefits of partnering with an Occupational Health provider?
By outsourcing occupational health assessments to a trusted provider, businesses gain access to expert advice, impartial medical guidance, and support in managing complex cases. This partnership approach ensures consistency across assessments, builds employee trust, and helps businesses demonstrate their commitment to health and wellbeing.
UKIM are a specialist Occupational Health provider that can support your business needs. Get in touch with our team of dedicated specialists using the form below or by calling 0191 512 8220.
