What is a Fit for Duty Test and Why Might My Employees Need One?
What is the definition of Fit for Duty testing?
“’Fit to work’ or ‘fitness to work’ is a medical assessment done when an employer wishes to be sure an employee can safely do a specific job or task. The purpose is to determine if medically the employee can perform the job or task under the working conditions.” – CCOHS
What is involved in an Apex Fit for Duty test?
The components of a Fit for Duty test will vary based on the demands of the job.
They can include:
Audiometric Testing which can tell if your employee is physically capable of hearing well enough to work safely. It can also be put in place to obtain baseline and/or periodic measures of employee hearing, which helps ensure that the employee’s hearing protection is adequate while working in a noisy environment.
Vision Testing will help avoid the risk of employees being placed in jobs where vision-related issues such as hindered peripheral vision, night vision deficits, or colour blindness could affect quality, performance and/or safety.
Functional Testing is designed specifically to test the physical ability of the candidate to safely perform the essential job tasks. This includes physical tests such as push/pull, grip, lifting or stair climbing.
Respirator Medical Evaluation and Pulmonary Function – system-specific physical assessment and pulmonary functions test to ensure your candidates are physically capable of working safely while wearing a respirator.
What benefit does the employer receive from offering Fit for Duty testing?
By hiring employees who are physically qualified for the job that they will be working, employers can see many benefits. Including:
- Reducing the cost of employee turnover
- Reducing injuries
- Gathering baseline data
What type of organizations offer Fit for Duty testing to their employees?
Fit for Duty testing can be defined in a very broad way, as there are many different kinds of “fit” levels depending on the type of job the candidate will be doing. At Apex, we often see candidates for municipality positions, manufacturing jobs or office work! The type of testing that they do varies based on their job requirements.
It is important that your employees can safely perform the duties necessary for their job without injury. Our Fit for Duty screening offers an extensive evaluation and reporting process that will help you give your employees the best chance for success.
For more information on Fit for Duty testing, call us at (519) 896-3330 or reach out to info@apexocc.com.