Fitness to Work
Forklift medicals and Tower Crane medicals have been introduced by Constructing Better Health, a not-for-profit organisation that started life back in 2000/2001.
They were first introduced as a pilot scheme with the intention of raising awareness about Occupational Health. At that time mobile units traveled around the country delivering toolbox talks to employers and employees focusing on the following:
- Setting industry standards for both work-related health issues, and the competency of occupational health provision.
- Building a construction-specific knowledge portal.
- Centralising the collection of work-related health data.
- The transmission of fit-for-task data to enable employers to manage work-related health risks at site level.
- A referral route through to specialists in the field of return to work and rehabilitation.
One Way Resourcing understands just how crucial on site safety is .We have working relationships with healthcare providers who are accredited by CBH and are working together to put all our Telescopic handlers and Tower Crane Operators through their medicals.
The companies have undergone a rigorous screening process to prove their commitment and credentials to deliver the National Scheme for the management of occupational health in the construction industry.
Screening Criteria
Forklift Drivers
In the case of a Fork Lift Truck Driver it is important to ensure that they:
- Can see well enough (this might mean making sure they use prescription lenses); and
- Do not suffer from a condition which might cause them to lose consciousness or reduce their ability to concentrate.
In particular, focus on health conditions that may involve:
- Sudden loss of consciousness (e.g. epilepsy, or a heart conditions), diabetes (particularly insulin-dependent diabetes);
- Impaired awareness or concentration;
- Impaired balance or coordination;
- Restricted mobility; and
- Impaired vision or hearing.
Medical to involve:
- Completion of in-depth health questionnaire about health status
- Height
- Weight
- Body Mass Index
- Mobility
- Blood Pressure
- Hearing assessment(whisper test) or audiogram if unable to complete
- Whisper test appropriately
- Urinalysis
- Visual acuity
Tower Crane Operators
In the case of a crane operator it is important to ensure that they:
- Are able to climb the mast;
- Can see well enough (this might mean making sure they use prescription lenses); and
- Do not suffer from a condition which might cause them to lose consciousness or reduce their ability to concentrate.
In particular, focus on health conditions that may involve:
- Sudden loss of consciousness (e.g. epilepsy, some heart conditions, diabetes (particularly insulin-dependent diabetes));
- Impaired awareness or concentration;
- Sudden incapacity;
- Impaired balance or coordination;
- Restricted mobility; and
- Impaired vision or hearing.
Medical to involve:
- Completion of in-depth health questionnaire about health status
- Height
- Weight
- Mobility
- Musculoskeletal Assessment
- Blood Pressure
- Hearing assessment
- Urinalysis
- Lung Function assessment
- Visual acuity
Once the screening is successful the employer and operator will be provided with a certificate, valid up to 5 years, age and health depending that specifies either:
- Fit for work
- Fit for work with restrictions
- Temporarily does not meet the fitness standard
- Unable to meet the fitness for work to carry out specific jobs