Safety Critical Medicals
Safety critical medicals, also known as fit to work medicals, assess whether an employee is medically fit to carry out safety-critical work safely.
Insight Workplace Health provides safety critical medical assessments through our occupational health clinics and at workplaces across the UK, with clear fitness-for-work outcomes for employers.
SEQOHS Accredited
High quality occupational health services
Clinic & On-Site Appointments
Across our UK clinics or at your workplace
Clear Fitness-for-Work Outcomes
Fitness-for-work certificates and recommendations
Safety-Critical Expertise
Experienced occupational health technicians
What is a Safety Critical Medical?
A safety critical medical is an occupational health assessment used to determine whether an employee is medically fit to carry out work where their health could affect their own safety or the safety of others.
These assessments are also commonly referred to as fit to work medicals or fitness-for-task medicals. In sectors such as construction, they may also be requested as plant operator medicals, particularly for employees operating heavy machinery or equipment.
The assessment considers whether an employee's health could affect their ability to carry out their role safely and whether any further assessment, advice or workplace recommendations may be required.
Assess an employee's medical fitness for safety-critical work
Identify health conditions that could affect safe working
Make informed fitness-for-work decisions
Identify where further assessment, restrictions or recommendations may be appropriate
Why are Safety Critical Medicals important?
Employees in safety-critical roles may operate machinery or vehicles, work at height, or carry out other activities where their health could affect their own safety or the safety of others.
Employers have a legal duty to manage workplace health and safety risks and ensure employees are medically fit to carry out their work safely. Depending on the role, workplace risks and industry requirements, a medical assessment can help employers demonstrate that fitness for safety-critical duties has been appropriately considered.
Safety Critical Medicals can help employers to:
Who Needs a Safety Critical Medical?
Safety Critical Medicals may be appropriate for employees whose work involves activities where a medical condition could affect their safety or that of others. The need for an assessment depends on the individual's duties, workplace risks and any relevant employer or industry requirements.
Working at Height
Employees working on scaffolding, roofs or elevated structures where fitness could affect safe working.
MEWP Operators
Workers operating scissor lifts, boom lifts and other mobile elevating work platforms.
Plant & Machinery Operators
Workers operating excavators, cranes and other heavy plant or machinery.
Industrial & Maintenance Workers
Employees undertaking safety-critical maintenance or engineering tasks in industrial environments.
Forklift Truck Operators
Employees operating forklift trucks and other workplace transport equipment.
Construction & Civil Engineering Workers
Workers undertaking higher-risk site activities where health and fitness could affect safety.
Confined Space Workers
Employees entering tanks, chambers, sewers or other confined spaces where specific health and fitness considerations apply.
Utilities & Infrastructure Workers
Employees undertaking safety-critical duties in energy, water and infrastructure environments.
What's Included in a Safety Critical Medical?
A Safety Critical Medical assesses an employee's health and fitness in relation to the physical demands and safety requirements of their role.
At Insight Workplace Health, our assessments typically include the following checks:
Standard Assessments
Detailed Medical History Questionnaire
A comprehensive review of existing medical conditions, medication and relevant health history that could affect safe working.
Audiometry testing to assess hearing ability and identify potential hearing difficulties.
Blood Pressure & Health Checks
Blood pressure measurement, with blood glucose testing for employees with insulin-treated diabetes where appropriate.
Musculoskeletal Assessment
Assessment of movement, mobility and physical capability in relation to the demands of the role.
Height & Weight
Measurements of height and weight as part of the overall health assessment.
Spirometry testing to assess respiratory function and identify potential breathing or lung function concerns.
Eyesight testing, including depth perception, colour vision and phoria assessment.
Checks for signs of occupational skin conditions, including those associated with workplace exposure.
Additional Assessment Where Required
Assessment for Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) where employees are exposed to hand-transmitted vibration and health surveillance is indicated.
How Does a Safety Critical Medical Work?
From understanding your requirements to providing clear fitness-for-work outcomes, we make arranging Safety Critical Medicals straightforward.
1
Discuss Your Requirements
Tell us about your employees' roles and workplace risks so we can establish the appropriate assessments.
Attend the Medical Assessment
2
Employees attend an Insight clinic or an arranged workplace appointment, where available. Assessments typically take up to one hour, depending on the tests required.
Receive the Fitness for Work Outcome
3
Following the assessment, a fitness-for-work outcome is provided. This may be fit, unfit or fit with adjustments, alongside any relevant recommendations or restrictions.
Where Can I Book a Safety Critical Medical?
Insight Workplace Health offers Safety Critical Medicals at selected clinics across South Wales, North Wales and Chester, with workplace assessments also available across the UK by arrangement.