Companies
Medical check-ups for workers
What types of medical preventive examinations exist and how often are they conducted?
Medical and preventive examinations are a part of health protection at the workplace. Their goal is to prevent possible harm to health.
There are medical-preventive examinations that are conducted when starting a job. Also, regular check-ups are carried out every 3-5 years, depending on the presence of potential harmful effects on the worker's health at the workplace and the age of the worker. Sometimes, examinations are performed more frequently, for example, if the employee suffers from a chronic disease, the course of which may worsen when performing certain work.
Who conducts medical and preventive examinations of workers?
Examinations are usually conducted by nurses who specialize in Occupational Health (Työterveyshuolto). If there are severe harmful influences at work (for example, working with asbestos), or if a worker has health problems affecting their working capacity at their current job, then a doctor also conducts an examination afterwards.
If the inspection is not mandatory, can it be done at the discretion of the employee or the employer?
It's possible if there are no specific restrictions in the Työterveyshuolto contract between the enterprise and the medical center.
Who is required to undergo mandatory medical check-ups when starting a job?
All employees who are exposed to harmful effects at the workplace should undergo medical and preventive examinations. For example, workers who work at night or workers who lift heavy loads. The list of such workers in the enterprise is determined by a Työterveyshuolto specialist at the medical center.
How is a medical and preventive examination conducted?
Any examination begins with questioning the worker about his chronic diseases, hereditary predisposition, harmful effects on health at previous workplaces, and how he is coping with work now. The medical worker determines the presence of harmful habits, finds out what lifestyle the worker leads. Whether there is work that leads to the emergence of disease symptoms, for example, to back pain when lifting weights.
As a rule, arterial pressure is measured. If there is noise at the workplace, an audiogram (hearing test) is done. If there is dust, microspirometry is conducted.
If circumstances are discovered that could lead to a deterioration in an employee's health, they are referred to a doctor for examination. The doctor issues a certificate stating that the employee is fit for the type of work. In some situations, the doctor may monitor the employee's health for a while and only then make a conclusion.
Is it necessary to undergo a medical examination if the employee has recently passed it and changed jobs?
As a rule, it is necessary because the conditions at the new workplace may change. But for builders, we issue a card that allows them to undergo medical examinations once every three years, even if there has been a change of workplace.
Should a company that leases out labor force organize medical and preventive examinations for its workers?
Yes, it should. In addition, it should inform the tenant enterprise, which uses the labor force, about which medical organization the Työterveyshuolto contract has been concluded with.
