The Equality Act (2010) makes it clear that employers have to be very careful about asking health related questions either prior to or at interview. This is due to the fact that there remains some prejudice and ignorance about health conditions and the effect on work especially in relation to mental health. The Pre Placement Health Screening process can now only be undertaken AFTER a job offer has been made. Workers Health can carry out a Pre Placement Paper Screen or Pre Placement Medical, depending on your requirements.
The purpose of a Pre-Placement Medical or Pre-Placement Paper Screen is to ensure that the prospective employee is physically and psychologically fit to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of the proposed job role. This assessment will also assess whether the proposed post may adversely affect the prospective employee’s health. In these cases occupational health can make recommendations to reduce the risk if necessary.
Pre Placement Assessment also offers a way of recording health information as a starting point for monitoring exposure to health hazards e.g. a hearing test on an employee working in a noise hazard area. This type of test is called a baseline test as it is establishing health levels before exposure.
The process
Pre-Placement Paper Screening is a questionnaire that is completed by the employee either online or on paper. The results are reviewed by one of our experienced occupational health advisors, depending on the employee’s job role and any health concerns, we may conduct a telephone consultation with the employee to discuss their health and/or any adaptations or restrictions that may be necessary for their role. Following assessment the employee is categorised as either fit for work, fit for work with restrictions or adaptations – or further medical information required before a decision on fitness capability can be made. In some instances it may be necessary to obtain a medical report from the employee’s GP to ascertain the employee’s current and future fitness capability before any recommendations can be made.
Whether you require Pre Placement Medicals or Pre Placement Paper Screens, at Workers Health Ltd we will work closely with you to provide advice and guidance on how you can make reasonable adjustments to enable a safe working environment for each of your employees.
Pre-Placement Paper Screening and Pre Placement Medicals are completely bespoke to ensure that they are tailored to the hazards and risks within your organisation.
