Fitness To Work
The fit-to-work assessment is a part of the control measure by the company to manage their risk to/from workers arising from job activities in relation to workers’ health status.
EXPLORE
FITNESS TO WORK PROGRAM MALAYSIA
It is a part of OSH Risk Management in the organization. The requirements of fit-to-work assessment criteria can be based on the regulations and company risk assessment that relate to an individual medical condition. OHPlus will assist clients in ensuring their employees are in a good state of mental, physical, and emotional health to perform their assigned tasks competently, and in a manner that does not negatively affect or put at risk, their own, or others’ health and safety and cause damage to company equipment and property.
A few types of common risk-based fit-to-work assessment
- Confined Space Scaffolder
- Crane Operator
- Food Handler
- Emergency Response Team
- Commercial drivers
- Security personnel
What is meant by fit to work?
“Fit to work” or “Fitness To Work Program in Malaysia” is a medical evaluation conducted when an employer wants to confirm that an employee can safely perform a particular job or task. The objective is to ascertain whether the employee can carry out the job or task effectively within the workplace conditions. Work readiness assessments are typically conducted to assess an employee’s medical fitness after an illness or injury. However, they may also be carried out when employment is offered, as requested by the employer, or as a prerequisite for a job transfer. These evaluations may also be known as Functional Abilities Evaluations or Functional Capacity Evaluations.
How is the assessment done?
Usually, the employee will consult with a healthcare specialist responsible for assessing their suitability for the specific job. The healthcare specialist will take into account factors such as physical and mental capabilities, sensory perception, skill level, and any functional limitations. Following the assessment, the healthcare specialist will typically provide one of three conditions as feedback to the employer:
- fit,
- unfit, or
- fit subject to work modifications.
Why would this assessment be done?
An employer is allowed to ask for information from a medical professional to make sure the employee is able to work safely and that the employee’s condition does not pose a hazard to themselves or to others. A fit-to-work or fitness to work program in Malaysia assessment may be done for the following reasons (but are not limited to):
- Substantial changes have occurred in the working conditions.
- An employee is transitioning to a role with markedly different working conditions.
- The job role has been altered, and the returning worker is still undergoing physiotherapy, rehabilitation, or both.
- There's been a change in an employee's health, such as returning to work during recovery or after recuperating from a severe illness or injury.
- The job could exacerbate the medical condition, especially when the employee has a heart or lung disorder, and the job involves excessive physical exertion.
- A medical condition might restrict, diminish, or hinder the individual's ability to perform their current or new job effectively, such as musculoskeletal conditions limiting mobility.
- A medical condition could pose a safety risk in performing the job, for instance, if a person might unpredictably lose consciousness in a hazardous situation.
- A medical condition could jeopardize the safety of the affected individual, coworkers, or the general public. For example, if driving is an integral part of the job, but the person is susceptible to unpredictable and sudden unconsciousness, or an inspector with deficient color vision inspecting food products.
How will I know if the employer requires an assessment?
Assessments are typically initiated at the employer’s request, but employees may also opt for them voluntarily. When the employer initiates the assessment, it may be in compliance with company policies or government regulations mandating the examination. The employee’s consent is a prerequisite for this process.
In general, the employer will provide written notice to the employee, outlining the reasons for the assessment request. In cases where an in-house occupational medical specialist is not available, the company should furnish external professionals with comprehensive information about the job, its requirements, and the working conditions to ensure an accurate fit-to-work evaluation.
