2. Risk assessment and health conditions
It is important to ensure that a personalised risk assessment is carried out and identified risk reduction measures, both mental and physical, are put in place to help the individual remain at work. A risk assessment should be carried out when an employee
- reports a health condition that could impact on, or be affected by work activities
- requires work adjustments
- plans to return to work.
The key areas a return to work risk assessment should include are
- physical aspects of the work, including impacts on others
- physical demands and limitations - ergonomic or job design changes
- impact of fatigue and medication on work tasks
- psychological demands of the work
- if work involves use of any hazardous substances which may be contraindicated whilst receiving treatment
- risks of infection
- the journey to work (how far, mode of transport, time of day)
- access requirements at work (parking facilities, toilet facilities)
- driving as part of their job role for work
- work breaks in the working day
- managing working hours with flexible working or prohibiting overtime
- emergency planning
- if working at home, ensuring the environment is safe and ergonomically sound.