Should You Get a Pre-Employment Medical Check for new Staff?

We are often asked as to whether it is worth having a new employee undergo a pre-employment medical check and our response is usually dependent upon the role the person will be undertaking. If the role involves physical work, then it can be a good means of avoiding problems down the track if an employee is injured in the workplace.

Pre-employment medical checks are conducted for several reasons. From a health and safety point of view an employer may want to ensure that candidates are physically fit to perform the job safely, especially in roles that may involve physical labour or exposure to health risks.

Such a check may identify an issue that either precludes the employee from undertaking the role as there is too much risk or would not be able to actually perform the requisite duties, or it may identify pre-existing injury that does not preclude the employee starting the job but can be benchmarked in case a workplace incident exacerbates the injury.

However, in making a decision as to whether to employ someone because of something showing up on a pre-employment medical it is important that the employer does not unnecessarily discriminate against the employee.

It is also important that the medical professional undertaking the assessment is fully aware of the particular duties and tasks that the employee will be required to perform as part of the job. This includes such things as the required weights to lift or push, hours on their feet, bending and twisting, etc.

Primary Employers Tasmania can assist you in this regard and provide templates that allow you to indicate to the assessor the actual role requirements to ensure that check that the employee can safely perform the role.