What to Expect at Your Occupational Health Appointment

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• Photo ID. This is mandatory, testing cannot be conducted without valid photo identification.

• Prescription Glasses (Reading or Distance) if you wear them as vision testing is a routine part of many assessments.

• Glasses prescription. This is for individuals undergoing a train driver or train movement medical

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As part of your medical assessment, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire relevant to your role. One of our technicians will review your responses during your appointment.

The questionnaire typically covers the following:

• Your job role or title

• The environment you work in and any potential hazards

• General health and medical history

If you disclose a medical condition, further information may be requested, such as:

• Date of diagnosis

• Any past or current treatments

• Medications you are taking

• How the condition affects your daily life

All information provided is strictly confidential and will not be shared with your employer without your explicit consent.

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After completing the health questionnaire, a technician will carry out a series of practical tests based on the type of medical you are undertaking.

These may include:

• Height, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI)

• Blood pressure and pulse rate/regularity

• Ishihara colour vision screening

• Distance, near, and peripheral vision testing

• Mobility, flexibility, and balance assessment

• Urinalysis (screening for protein, glucose, and blood)

• Audiometry (hearing test)

For more specialised medicals, additional tests may be conducted, such as:

• Spirometry or Peak Flow testing (lung function)

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

• Tecumseh Step Test

• Chester Step Test

• Grip strength measurement

• Point-of-care glucose or cholesterol testing

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Following your assessment, the technician will usually be able to provide an immediate outcome. However, in some cases, particularly with train driver medicals, results will require review by an Occupational Health Physician before a final decision is made.

The potential outcomes include:

Full pass

You meet the medical standards required for your role. A certificate or report confirming this will be sent to the assigned results recipient of the appointment.

Fit with restriction

In some cases, a restriction may be applied to ensure workplace safety, for yourself and others. This is typically due to a medical condition that raises concerns related to job-specific risks. The nature of the restriction will be noted on the report or certificate; however, no specific medical details will be disclosed.

Two-month pass

This shorter-term pass is issued when additional medical information is required (e.g. from your GP or a specialist). At the end of your assessment, we will provide you with a letter to share with the relevant healthcare professional(s), outlining the information needed. Once this information has been received and reviewed, a final decision will be made, and your certificate may be updated with an extended validity.

Unfit

At the time of your assessment, you do not meet the medical standards required for your role. This may be due to a medical condition or the use of certain medications that could impact your ability to work safely. This outcome is not necessarily final and may be reviewed if further information is provided by your GP and/or specialist.

Any additional information required for temporary or unfit outcomes must be provided within six months of your original assessment date. If this timeframe is exceeded, a new medical assessment will be necessary.

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Following your assessment you will not be provided with an immediate outcome as Health Surveillance results will be interpreted by a Occupational Health Advisor or Physician.

Fit for the role

Your health surveillance results indicate no abnormalities. You are deemed fit to continue working in your current role with no further action required.

Fit with recommendations

In some cases, recommendations may be provided to support your continued safety at work, as well as that of others. These recommendations will be detailed in your report. If any results fall below expected standards, a workplace risk assessment may be advised to determine appropriate control measures.

Removal from exposure

If your results show significant abnormalities, a recommendation may be made for temporary removal from exposure to specific workplace hazards. This precautionary measure is intended to protect your health while further investigation is carried out, particularly to assess whether the condition is work-related and medically stable. This outcome is not necessarily final and may be reconsidered upon receipt of further information from your GP or a relevant specialist.