What to Expect During a Pre-Employment Medical Assessment?

For HR managers and OHS managers, ensuring that employees are fit for the demands of their role is crucial. A pre-employment medical assessments are one of the most effective ways to safeguard workplace safety, minimise injury risks, and protect productivity, particularly in high-risk industries such as manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, transportation and logistics, and travel. At OSHGroup, we partner with organisations to deliver comprehensive medical pre-employment assessments that meet both regulatory requirements and the specific demands of your industry.

Why Pre-Employment Medical Assessments Matter

A pre-medical employment assessment will determine a candidate’s physical and mental fitness to perform their role safely and effectively. In industries where safety-critical work is the norm, the stakes are high: an unfit employee could put themselves, co-workers, and business operations at risk.
By conducting these assessments before employment begins, businesses can:

• Reduce workplace injuries and incidents.
• Ensure compliance with legislative and industry standards.
• Avoid costly workers’ compensation claims.
• Maintain operational efficiency.

What’s Included in a Pre-Employment Medical Assessment

While each assessment is tailored to the job requirements, a pre-employment medical assessment typically includes:

• Medical history questionnaire: identifying past injuries, illnesses, or conditions that may impact performance.
• Physical examination: measuring vital signs, visual acuity (near, distance, peripheral & colour vision) and reviewing overall general health.
• General physical review: overall review, including range of motion, to identify any physical concerns with one’s ability to meet the job’s demands. In addition to the above, other assessment components that may also be required include.
• Audiometry Assessment: Evaluating hearing thresholds, which is important for communication and alarm recognition in potentially noisy environments.
• Spirometry/Lung Function Assessment: Assessing one’s respiratory health.
• Pre-employment medical blood test: screening for health conditions such as diabetes or elevated cholesterol, if required.
• Drug & Alcohol Screening: detecting the presence of illicit or non-prescribed substances.
• Cardiovascular fitness testing: evaluating heart health and endurance for physically demanding roles.
• Role-specific testing: tailored assessments such as NTC Rail or offshore medicals.

Industry-Specific Requirements

• Manufacturing – noise exposure testing, musculoskeletal screening, and functional movement tests.
• Mining – endurance and strength testing, respiratory assessments, and drug and alcohol screening.
• Oil and Gas – offshore medicals, confined space fitness, and cardiovascular health checks.
• Transportation & Logistics – vision and hearing testing, fatigue risk assessments.
• Travel Industry – vaccination requirements and infectious disease screening.

The OSHGroup Approach – Simplicity and Effectiveness

At OSHGroup, we’ve designed our pre-employment medical test process for simplicity and effectiveness, ensuring clients have full control:

1. Booking – Clients schedule an appointment, specifying the industry and role requirements.
2. Tailored Assessments – On the day, candidates undergo role-specific tests conducted by our experienced Occupational Physician Registrars or Occupational Physicians.
3. Comprehensive Evaluation – We identify any health issues that could impact job performance or workplace safety.
4. Detailed Reporting – Employers receive clear, reliable recommendations to support hiring decisions.

This streamlined approach ensures both employers and candidates benefit from a thorough and informative medical pre-employment test, enabling optimal workplace health and safety from day one.

Partner with OSHGroup for accurate, evidence-based results that give you the clarity to make confident hiring decisions and maintain a safer, healthier workforce.

Learn more or book a pre-employment medical test today.