Safety critical medicals are in- depth medicals designed to ensure that anyone who undertakes safety critical tasks are fit to do so. This not only ensures the safety of the worker themselves but also others working alongside them.
Under current health and safety legislation employers have a duty of care to prevent ill – health or injury to their workers. This is particularly relevant to those carrying out safety critical tasks and those around them. Safety-Critical Work (SCW) medicals identify if there is any risk or likelihood of employees developing a health problem that could cause them to suddenly take ill, whilst undertaking their work.
It is important that safety critical workers are not suffering from medical conditions or undergoing any medical treatment which is likely to cause a sudden loss of consciousness or incapacity.
The following roles have been defined as ‘Safety Critical’
- Asbestos Licenced worker
- Construction worker
- Diver
- Maritime Operative
- LGV/HGV
- Tunnelling worker
- Scaffolder/ Rigger
- Plant Operative (general, crane driver/ mobile machine driver)
- Steel Erector/Fabricator
- Confined space worker
- Working at height
- Electrician