What is occupational medicine?
Occupational medicine is a specialty that aims to promote workers’ health, prevent accidents at work and occupational diseases.
It is mandatory by law and has benefits for companies and workers, with rights and duties for both.
It is also often referred to as occupational health.
What does the law say about occupational medicine?
Law no. 102/2009, of September 10, in its current wording (it has undergone changes and updates over the years), is the main law that regulates occupational medicine in Portugal.
This law applies to all branches of activity, as well as the public and private sectors.
If you have workers in your charge, you must ensure that occupational health and safety services are provided.
In its general principles, the law states that workers“have the right to work in conditions that respect their health and safety.”
What is an occupational health consultation?
Occupational health consultations are both a right and a duty for workers.
And companies have a duty to ensure that they are available.
It is important to note that the consultation or examination should not be at any cost to the worker.
Whenever possible, it should be scheduled during working hours.
The employee is notified to attend these appointments, usually by email, sms or telephone.
The occupational medicine consultation has the same structure as a general medical consultation, the main difference being that the doctor will focus on collecting data related to the user’s professional activity and workplace.
The worker will be consulted by the Occupational Physician and the Occupational Nurse, the latter of whom will carry out the auxiliary diagnostic tests requested by the doctor.
These tests are requested according to the health risks of the workplace and may include, for example, an eye screening, an audiogram, an electrocardiogram or others.
What is the Medical Fitness Form and what is it for?
At the end of the occupational health consultation, the worker’s Medical Aptitude Form (FAM) is filled in.
This document can declare the worker fit, conditionally fit, temporarily unfit or permanently unfit to perform their professional duties.
Once filled in, a copy should be made and sent to the person in charge of human resources at the employee’s company.
In cases where the worker is considered “permanently unfit”, the occupational physician must collaborate in determining another, alternative and compatible activity for the worker’s redeployment, always in close collaboration and coordination with the company’s management and Human Resources.
Is the worker obliged to go to an occupational health appointment?
The employee has a duty to cooperate.
The employee’s consent is tacitly accepted for complementary tests such as Optometry, Audiometry, Spirometry or ECG, but for certain tests or analytical samples, for example, the employee cannot be forced to carry them out without their consent.
How often are appointments and tests made?
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Entrance Exam
It takes place before the start of work or, if the urgency of the hiring justifies it, within the following 15 days.
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Periodic Examination
This is a consultation every two years for workers between the ages of 18 and 50 who do not carry out risky activities; it is annual above this age or if there are risk situations defined by law or collective bargaining agreement.
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Occasional examination
This type of consultation is compulsory after returning from 30 days’ sick leave or other absence (maternity leave, for example), following an accident at work, at the request of the employee or the department, or even due to a change in working conditions.
Who can provide occupational health services in my company?
Occupational health services can be carried out and organized internally or externally.
SEPRI is a company providing external occupational health services, based in Lisbon and Braga, which has been providing occupational health services to companies from the north to the south of the country for over 30 years.
We can take care of your workers’ health and ensure that your company complies with its legal obligations.
Contact us for a quote at comunicacao@sepri.pt or on 253 271 525 / 212 693 999.
