When determining if an individual is fit for work, employers assess if they can perform at a state (physical, mental, and emotional) that allows them to complete tasks competently and in a manner that doesn’t compromise or threaten the safety or health of themselves or others.
Using guidelines in a fit-for-work program and other available assessment procedures, an employer or supervisor can use their discretion to determine if an individual can complete their assigned job task under specific working conditions.
Conditions impacting fit for duty abilities
Employers opt-in to fit for work screening tools to determine if any conditions would affect potential or current employees’ abilities to work safely. These conditions include:
Physical
- Any conditions that physically involve the body, like visual, hearing, respiratory or functional fitness testing
Physiological
- Conditions refer to the body’s functions and processes, such as fatigue, drugs, alcohol, and workplace exposure.
Psychological
- From stress to emotional state, these conditions focus on how a person responds to different factors that may impact their emotional and mental state.
While three elements typically impact fit for work abilities, CannAmm Occupational Testing Services’s testing primarily touches on the functional side to help determine if an employee can complete specific physical tasks, along with drug and alcohol testing to ensure no impairment is present.
Benefits of implementing a fit-for-duty assessment
Increase employee retention
- Establishing this testing helps to create a strong health and safety culture in the workplace, assuring employees that their safety and well-being at work are paramount to your organization.
Reduce safety incidents and worker’s compensation claims
- Taking this precaution ensures that employees have the overall physical function and health status to perform the duties of their role and will help you avoid situations where a worker puts themselves or their co-workers at risk of an incident occurring.
Optimize productivity
- By placing individuals in jobs where they are most qualified to succeed, you, as an organization, will experience increased productivity.
Components of a Successful fit for duty program
Outline your goals based on why your organization is implementing the policy. Assessments to determine if an employee qualifies as being fit for duty can be completed at several different points in an employee’s tenure, and it’s essential that specific protocols, such as regulations regarding the Human Rights Code, are respected.
Identify the procedures and testing needed to minimize risk. Ensure that the completed tests are best suited for their intended use. Four of the most common assessments conducted to determine if an employee qualifies as being fit for duty are:
- Drug and Alcohol Testing
- Improve the safety of the work environment by identifying people who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work, putting themselves and others at risk.
- Audiometric Exposure Testing
- Assesses the effectiveness of noise exposure management systems and helps identify individuals with hearing limitations, which could lead to the prevention of serious incidents in the workplace.
- Functional Fitness Tests
- Analyze an employee’s response to physical demands to help manage employee health risks and reduce employee injuries.
- Respiratory Function Testing
- Evaluates an employee’s lung function with a pulmonary function test and helps to assess the effectiveness of protective equipment.
- Establish reporting procedures and monitor compliance to ensure no legal liability issues.
- Outline the consequences of not being fit for work so employees are aware of any duty to accommodate or disciplinary actions that may follow.
- Provide support for employees when needed, including a return to work program.
A customized fit-for-work policy specific to your workplace and industry provides a framework for dealing with the complex and often sensitive issues surrounding substance abuse, medical conditions, and related stress and fatigue. Reach out to our experts at CannAmm Occupational Testing Services today to review or build a fit for duty program to protect your workforce.
