An occupational health check is a medical examination or assessment that is carried out to evaluate an employee’s health and fitness for work. The main purpose is to identify any health risks or potential issues that could affect the employee’s ability to perform their job safely and effectively.
The most common question we’ve been asked this year is around health in the workplace. More specifically mental health. With the cost of living and the aftermath of the pandemic, it’s no surprise that a lot of people are struggling.
As employers, we have a duty of care for our staff and their mental and physical health should be our priority. This type of assessment can help you identify health issues and put in place the best solutions for your employees.
What assessments could be included in an occupational health check?
An occupational health check may include a range of different assessments and tests. This is depending on the specific requirements of the job and the individual being assessed. For example, it may involve a physical examination, or a review of the employee’s medical history. It may also involve assessments of their hearing, vision, lung function, and musculoskeletal health.
Other assessments can include blood tests, urine tests, and drug and alcohol screening. This is particularly if there are specific concerns about substance use in the workplace.
Types of Health Assessments
There are a wide range of occupational health checks commonly used in the workplace. This include:
- Pre-employment
- sickness absence management
- return to work
- fitness for work
- medical surveillance
- Mental health and stress assessments
- and much more
The specific assessments required depends on your employee’s job role, their work tasks, and any hazards they may be exposed to. It also depends on any existing health issues they may have. It’s important to analyse findings in your risk assessments to determine the right type of assessment for your staff.
How much is an Occupational Health Check?
The cost of an occupational health check can vary depending on the type of assessment required, the location of the provider, and the specific requirements of the employer.
As a general guide, the cost of an occupational health check in the UK can range from £75 to £500, with the average cost being around £250. However, for more specialised assessments or for larger organisations, the cost may be higher.
We work with an experienced occupational health nurse to provide businesses with a service that will help improve physical and mental health in their workplace. You can find out more about our services and pricing on our website.
What are the benefits of Occupational Health?
It’s important to remember that the cost of an occupational health check should be weighed against the potential benefits of identifying and addressing any health concerns or risks to the employee, as this can help to promote a safe and healthy working environment and reduce the likelihood of sickness absence and lost productivity.
The findings of an occupational health check provides guidance to employers on how to manage any risks to the employee’s health. It also helps managers support the employee in maintaining good health and well-being in the workplace.
Main benefits for employers include:
- Reduce absence levels
- Improved engagement, and staff retention
- Increase in job satisfaction
- Improved productivity and team-working
Your employee’s will benefit from:
- Reduced health risks
- Access to health information
- Support to manage existing health issues
- Help to improve lifestyle
Contact Us
Overall, an occupational health check can go a long way to improve physical and mental health in the workplace. If you would like any support with occupational health for your business, you can also contact our HR Consultants on 01383 668 178 or info@thehrbooth.co.uk. You can also find out more about our Occupational health service on our website.
