Windfarm medicals are primarily aimed at detecting and assessing any medical conditions that may compromise safety when working in this unique environment. Workers Health Ltd will assess Worker’s capability to climb vertical enclosed ladders and for working in confined spaces.
The assessment may be undertaken by an occupational health advisor with reference to a suitably qualified and experienced doctor for specialist advice. Any employee who works on wind turbines and who develops a medical condition that is a cause for concern should always seek occupational health advice before starting work.
It should be emphasised that the Renewables UK guidelines do not aim to set out a prescriptive medical assessment to address every possible medical condition or scenario that may be encountered. Our clinicians will make an informed opinion as to the medical fitness of the individual concerned following a full understanding of the work, physical demands and the role the individual is expected to perform. The assessments are carried out by a highly qualified occupational health advisor and a clear referral process is in place for referral to our affiliate occupational physicians should there be any medically complex or borderline fitness issues.
Assessment Process
A health assessment should be undertaken at pre-employment, pre-placement and after any significant incident, injury or sickness absence.
Periodic assessments should be undertaken every two years, but may be necessary more frequently in an individual case where this is recommended by the examining clinician. The assessment will consist of a:
- medical history questionnaire
- clinical examination
- fitness assessment
The assessment may consist of:
- Vision
- Hearing
- Cardiovascular system
- Respiratory system
- Locomotor system
- Nervous system
- Diabetes
- Mental state
- Drugs and Alcohol
- Skin
- Obesity
- Physical Fitness to Climb (Chester Step Exercise Test)
- Other health concerns
Following the medical a certificate will be issued in accordance with Issue 2 (2013) of RenewableUK Medical Fitness to Work.