Medical check-ups in working life
Managers can find information here about when medical check-ups may be appropriate.
A work environment-related medical check-up is a medical assessment of an employee. It addresses the potential health implications of specific factors in the work environment. The medical check-up is intended to support preventive work environment management. Medical check-ups can include physical examinations, sample collection, interviews and questionnaires.
The purpose of medical check-ups is to reduce the risk of occupational ill-health by:
- determining whether the employee’s state of health permits certain types of work
- providing early identification of individuals who show signs of ill health caused by exposure in the workplace
- providing the basis for measures in the workplace.
Certain work duties require a medical check-up and a fitness for work certificate. Certificates must be registered. Penalty fees will be applied if a valid fitness for work certificate has not been provided.
Medical check-ups are required for several tasks
These tasks are outlined in regulations issued by the Swedish Work Environment Authority, particularly AFS 2019:3.
- work involving exposure to vibrations
- activities demanding hand-intensive tasks
- night work
- work involving allergenic chemical products
- fibrosis-inducing dust containing, for example asbestos and quartz
- lead
- cadmium
- mercury
- tasks involving strenuous physical activity: climbing jobs entailing considerable ascent and descent, emergency response work using protective equipment against smoke and chemicals, and diving work.
In addition to the above tasks, medical check-ups are required for the following:
- work involving laboratory animals (AFS 1990:11)
- work that may cause noise-induced hearing problems (AFS 2015:16)
- work entailing risk of infection (AFS 2018:4)
- work involving artificial optical radiation (AFS 2009:7)
- work involving ionising radiation (SSMFS 2018:1)
The employer must also offer statutory medical check-ups if a risk assessment shows it to be justified, for example due to exposure to harmful conditions/substances.
Read the instructions before you fill in the form and order the medical check-up from the Occupational Health Service.
Instructions for managers concerning medical check-ups (PDF 209 kB, new tab)
Read the instructions before you fill in the form and order the statutory medical check-up from the Occupational Health Service.
Eliminate/minimise risks - in five steps
- Remove or replace chemical product/method.
- Encapsulate, screen off and automate.
- Use process ventilation.
- Work at another time/place.
- Use personal protective equipment.
In order to eliminate/minimise risks, the employer must follow the prioritised steps. If the measures contained in the prioritised steps do not eliminate/minimise risks, regular assessments of employee health may be necessary. As a manager with responsibility for staff, it is your task to conduct a risk assessment and inform students and employees of the need for medical check-ups if required by the Swedish Work Environment Authority.
The Occupational Health Service conducts medical check-ups at Lund University.