Medical testing strategy

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What is meant by medical testing?

In occupational health, a legal definition of a medical test includes “any test, question, inquiry or other means designed to ascertain, or which has the effect of enabling the employer to ascertain, whether an employee has any medical condition”. (Employment Equity Act, 55 of 1998). In practice, it includes verbal enquiry, physical examination, or special investigations (such as laboratory tests, radiology, audiometry, spirometry, etc).

Why is medical testing done?

The 3 main reasons for medical testing are:

  • Medical Surveillance
  • Medical Certification of Fitness
  • Wellness Screening

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“Medical surveillance”, which refers to medicals aimed at identifying early adverse effects of workplace hazard exposure, so as to trigger corrective measures to avoid progression to florid occupational disease, incapacity, or disability.

This is a legal requirement for employees exposed to hazardous chemical agents, dust (eg asbestos, silica), lead, noise, hazardous biological agents, and ergonomic risks.
OH Specialist
“Medical certification of fitness”, which refers to medicals aimed at identifying medical impairments adversely impacting the safety or work performance of employees, so as to trigger corrective measures to avoid critical operator error.

This is a legal requirement for employees performing safety sensitive work, such as certain vocational drivers, construction workers, operators of lifting equipment, pilots of planes, trains, and seagoing vessels, etc.
OH Specialist
“Wellness screening”, which refers to medicals aimed at identifying employees’ personal health risks, so as to trigger corrective measures to avoid progression to chronic disease, incapacity or disability.

This is not a legal requirement, but contributes significantly to the employer’s overall sustainability strategy. It has become central to employers’ survival of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Where does medical testing fit into the overall strategy?

The following graphic illustrates flow of a typical occupational health process, from risk assessment to medical outcomes – and then the interactions between medical outcomes and the integrated wellness services.

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How do we help you with your medical testing strategy?

  1. You tell us what type of medical testing you need. (surveillance, certification, wellness screening)
  2. If you are not sure, you describe the situation, and we can discuss the type of medical testing we think you should consider.
  3. We could take a look at your medical testing strategy and identify gaps. There may be errors of commission (unnecessary tests) or omission (missing or incorrect tests). We can ensure that the people doing the testing are appropriately registered.
  4. We could assist by conducting any of, or parts of, your medical tests – and provide you with the outputs (eg certificates of fitness) plus a report.

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Location

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Phone

+27 (082) 553-0316

Email

greg.kew@ohspecialist.com

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