Occupational Health Assessments: Questions Asked and How To Arrange One

· 29th January 2023

An occupational health assessment is a process that is used to determine an individual’s fitness for work. It is typically conducted by a healthcare professional such as an occupational health nurse, doctor, or occupational health advisor with a view to creating a supportive, positive working environment for both employees and employers alike. These assessments can include both physical and psychological evaluations and are used to identify any potential health risks that may affect an individual’s ability to perform their job.

Occupational health assessments can help identify problems early on, reducing the risk of accidents and illnesses, thereby promoting a healthy working environment for all employees. Read on to find out more about what questions are asked at an occupational health assessment, the benefits of such assessments, how they can be arranged and much more.

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What Questions Are Asked At An Occupational Health Assessment?

When it comes to occupational health assessments, there isn’t a one size fits all approach. Specific occupational health assessment questions will vary depending on the type of job and the potential health risks associated with it. The different approaches include:

That said, there are several general categories of occupational health questions that are typically asked during these assessments to ensure the fundamentals are covered.

General Occupational Health Questions

The general areas which often get questioned during assessments include:

Personal and family medical history
Current health status, including any chronic conditions or recent illnesses
Physical limitations or restrictions
An assessment of mental healt
Medications and other treatments being taken
Risk factors for certain diseases or conditions
Any previous workplace injuries or illnesses
Exposure to hazardous materials or environments
Pre-existing injuries or disabilities

Mental Health Occupational Questions

As discussed in one of our previous articles, according to a report from the HSE: “in 2020/21 stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 50% of all work-related ill health cases”. With this in mind, occupational health assessments include mental health questions to evaluate an individual’s psychological wellbeing. Areas these questions will touch upon include:

Current mental health and wellbeing
Stress level, coping mechanisms, and support systems
History of mental health conditions, including depression, substance abuse and anxiety
Current stress contributors/treatment for any mental health conditions
Other lifestyle factors that could impact mental health and wellbeing

Benefits of Occupational Health Assessments

OH assessments are a confidential process where an employee must feel comfortable and confident that their privacy and information will be respected – they are designed to provide advice, guidance and support to both employers and staff members. Their benefits include:

Identifying potential health risks that could affect an individual’s ability to perform their job
Developing strategies to reduce or manage those risks
Providing support and workplace modifications to help an individual stay healthy and productive on the job
Helping to ensure that the work environment is safe and healthy for all employees
Improving employee retention and productivity
Reducing absenteeism and compensation claims
Identifying and addressing mental health issues early on
Implementing effective return to work plans for employees that are absent for a period of time due to health reasons
Compliance with legal obligations

How To Arrange An Occupational Health Assessment

Many companies offer occupational health assessments as part of their employee health and wellness programs, with some even requiring certain employees to have an assessment based on their job nature or health history. Some employers offer occupational health services on-site or they may involve an external/third party occupational health service provider, such as Healthier Workforce, for a completely impartial perspective.

How To Make An Occupational Health Referral

If you’re an employer or supervisor and you are concerned about an employee’s health, performance or behaviour in relation to their job, you may want to consider making an occupational health referral. This can involve talking to the employee directly about your concerns and communicating how the referral will help to improve their working environment; their consent must be obtained before the referral is made. You can also inform your HR department or an external occupational health company to help facilitate the referral process if required.

Occupational health referrals can also be made for new employees as part of the pre-placement health screening process. This is especially important for employees who will be working in hazardous environments or performing certain types of jobs that may be physically demanding.

Overall, occupational health assessments are an important tool for identifying potential health risks and providing support to help employees stay healthy and productive on the job. Whether you’re an employer, an employee, or a healthcare provider, it’s important to be aware of the benefits and process involved, and to be prepared to make or respond to a referral.

With a nationwide team of expert health practitioners, here at Healthier Workforce we offer a comprehensive range of occupational health services to companies up and down the country. To find out more about the ways we can help you and your business or to make a referral, simply contact our experienced team today.