As a business owner, one of your main responsibilities is to ensure the health and safety of your employees. This means providing a secure and comfortable working environment, as well as ensuring that they’re physically fit to carry out their duties.
For this reason, it’s essential that you conduct the fitness for work assessment Australia occupational health professionals offer. These experts have been trained to identify any risks associated with work activities and can provide advice on how to minimise the dangers.
In this article, we’ll pore over the reasons why you should carry out these assessments and when to do it.
Why Conduct Occupational Health and Safety Assessments
While a fitness for work assessment Australia occupational physicians conduct comes with a price, the benefits it provides are invaluable. Here’s why you should have it as part of your corporate policy.
Prevents Accidents and Injuries
Workers who are out of condition to carry out certain tasks are more likely to get injured or suffer an accident due to exertion. This can lead to costly compensation claims that can cripple a business.
With a work capacity assessment Australia occupational health physicians provide, you can identify any physical issues your employees may have that could put them at risk.
Protects Your Business from Legal Risks
The Australian government is very stringent when it comes to occupational health and safety. Businesses that don’t comply with the regulations can face serious fines and sanctions. With worksite health assessments, you’re proactively protecting your business from any legal entanglements.
Improves Employee Morale and Productivity
When employees feel safe and secure in their workplace, they’re more likely to be productive and motivated. This means that tasks get done faster, with better results. Additionally, an occupational health professional can also provide advice on how to minimise the risk of common office ailments, such as back pain or eye strain.
A functional capacity assessment ensures that your team is working within optimal health parameters. This helps to create a positive work environment and boost employee morale. It ensures that any potential issues are identified quickly and addressed promptly, leading to better outcomes for everyone involved.
Reduces Stress Levels
Physical health isn’t the only concern you should be looking into. Stress can also have a negative impact on your employees, leading to burnout and poor performance.
With industrial fitness assessments, stressors in the workplace are identified. If necessary, you can make changes to minimise these stressors and ensure that your team is comfortable and relaxed while they’re at work.
When to Conduct a Functional Capacity Assessment
Occupational health and safety assessments are not only for examining a new employee. It’s important to keep assessing your team regularly to ensure that they stay fit for work.
If a worker has been off from work for a long period of time or has shown a pattern of repetitive absences, then it’s advised to have them secure a fitness to work certificate from an experienced occupational health professional. This will help you determine whether they’re able to get back to their job or if further medical attention is needed.
An employee exhibiting odd behaviour that cannot be explained also warrants this test. In a way, it allows you to identify any underlying mental or physical issues that may be preventing the worker from performing at their full capacity. Moreover, if someone has provided conflicting medical evidence about their fitness, this needs to be clarified by an independent assessment as well.
You can also use the results from a work capacity fitness test to inform any workplace modifications that need to be made, such as ergonomic chairs or adjustable desks, to ensure your workers are comfortable and safe at all times.
Conclusion
A fitness for work assessment Australia occupational health professionals provide ensures that your employees are ready and able to carry out their duties. It also protects your business from any legal risks, while boosting employee morale and productivity. If you haven’t conducted one yet, now is the perfect time to do so!
For more business tips and information, you can check out our other articles!