Occupational Medical and the Law

“Do we have to do it?”

YES!

“The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 applies to everyone in South Africa, who is working. The application of the Act is not limited to factories, manufacturing plants and construction sites. Occupational medicals are equally not limited to those working in workshops, manufacturing plant and construction sites, and it applies to all working environments.

“As Employers, what do we have to do?’

 It is the employer’s duty to provide and maintain a working environment free of risk to the health and safety of employees. Remember, this includes all employees, even where the workplace risks and hazards may not be so evident or obvious.

“What does the law say?”

 Section 8 (1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act mentioned above set the following requirement:

 “General duties of employers to their employees 

 (1) Every employer shall provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of his employees”.

 Section 9 of the Act set the following requirement:

 “General duties of employers and self-employed persons to persons other than their employees

 (1) Every employer shall conduct his undertaking in such a manner as to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that persons other than those in his employment who may be directly affected by his activities are not thereby exposed to hazards to their health or safety”.

 “What about Occupational medicals?” 

 As employers, it is our duty to look after the health & safety and wellbeing of all employees employed by ourselves.

 An employee working in an office or on the road might not be exposed to the types of hazards that an employee is exposed to in a mechanical workshop. Yet an office can be full of hazards, for example, electrical outlets, administrative equipment and slippery floors, being on the road travelling have many, many hazards and inherent dangers. All employees need to be medically fit, both physically and psychologically for the job and type of work they employed to do. An employee may not be aware of a medical condition they might have or could develop later that could be a risk within the workplace.

 A programme of regular medicals is a good way of protecting oneself against any possible legal liability suits. The cost in prevention far out ways the possible consequences of not doing it.

 “There are different types of medicals?”

• Pre-employment medical
• Annual occupational medical 
• Exit medicals 

These should all form part of your employee health 

monitoring programme.

 “So anybody can do these medicals?” – NO!!

 Only a registered Occupational Medical Practitioner with the Health Professions Council may conduct such medicals. This is a requirement in terms of Section 17 of the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974.

“Where do I start and who can help me.”

Contact us at FITMed24.com.:

Phone us 010 023 4087 or 072 259 8069

Email:  helpdesk@fitmed24.com

Visit : Contact Page

We have qualified medical professionals, experienced in the provision of monitoring, screening, and exit medical testing services. We offer our services to organisations in various industries, ranging from mining and construction to pharmaceutical, chemical and processing plants. Whether you operate within the aviation, medical, chemical or mining sector, we understand and apply the right protocols to ensure that your employees meet the exiting medical requirements. Our team can evaluate your firm’s specific site risks and assist in designing the set of protocols for protection, prevention and monitoring of employee health, including the completion of exit medicals.

Ensure full compliance with labour and occupational health laws of South Africa and minimise risk to your firm. Make use of the services as offered by FITMed24 to ensure accurate and compliant exit medicals. 

Note that the above information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as legal or medical advice.