South Africa Physical Agents Regulations 2024 8: Medical screening and surveillance: a documented screening programme where the assessment requires it or for vulnerable employees on an occupational medicine practitioner's opinion, with the practitioner deciding need and specifying history, examinations, tests and intervals; initial screening before employment and periodic screening at most every 24 months by an occupational health practitioner; written outcome reports and certificates of fitness; exit screening; accommodation of restrictions; a documented surveillance system analysing results over time; written informed consent; and a 60-day appeal to the Chief Inspector

What does 8 require?

An employer places an employee under a documented medical screening programme where the risk assessment or its review indicates the need, or, for a vulnerable employee, where an occupational medicine practitioner advises it after considering whether the employee has a condition making them vulnerable or impairing PPE use, whether a recognisable occupational disease or adverse effect is linked to the agent and reasonably likely under the exposure conditions, and whether valid diagnostic techniques exist. Where screening is necessary the occupational medicine practitioner specifies the evaluation of medical, occupational and exposure history, the clinical examinations and tests and the intervals, and the employer ensures an occupational health practitioner carries out an initial screening immediately before employment where practicable and periodic screening at the recommended intervals not exceeding 24 months. The occupational health practitioner informs the employer in writing of a normal outcome; the occupational medicine practitioner issues a medical certificate of fitness, and informs the employee, where a condition prevents PPE use or the exposure is likely to aggravate it, or where screening finds an adverse effect caused by the agent, the certificate stating fitness recommendations, whether an occupational disease is present, without confidential detail, any restrictions or conditions and their duration. The employer arranges exit screening on termination (a screening within the prior six months suffices), accommodates recommended restrictions so far as reasonably practicable and returns restricted employees to normal duties only when certified fit, establishes a documented medical surveillance system overseen by an occupational medicine practitioner that analyses screening results over time and targets exposure prevention, obtains each employee's written informed consent for screening and surveillance, and respects the employee's right to appeal a certificate finding, in writing to the Chief Inspector, inside 60 days.