Occupational Screening
A range of Occupational Screening Services are offered at Workscreen Medical. These are often included in pre-employment, routine and health surveillance medical assessments, but are also often requested as stand-alone tests.
The following are the most commonly requested occupational screening services offered at Workscreen Medical (click for more information):
WorkCover Compliant & Standard Audiograms (Hearing Tests)
Audiometric testing or hearing testing is a test to establish the workers' ability to hear. All the major sounds of speech are in the 20db to 60db range. If a degree of loss is shown, workers may have difficulty hearing some speech and environmental sounds. At Workscreen Medical we complete air conduction hearing testing, our soundproof booth and audiometer is approved by WorkCover WA standards.
Workscreen Medical has Work Cover WA Approved Audiometric Officers who are trained to conduct audiometric testing. Only Audiometric officers approved by WorkCover WA can conduct WorkCover compliant tests as the testing environment and equipment meets stringent standards.
When are hearing tests required?
The Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management act 1981 (the act) makes it compulsory for employers to arrange baseline hearing tests for all workers in prescribed workplaces. It is the employer’s responsibility to arrange and pay for all WorkCover WA audiometric tests.
What is a prescribed workplace?
A workplace is considered a ‘Prescribed Workplace’ when workers are exposed to noise doses of 90db or above during an eight-hour day. An example of 90db is approximately equal to the noise from an idling heavy motor truck at one metre. Alternatively, a workplace is also considered prescribed when the worker is exposed to a peak of 140db on one or more occasions, even for a short time. An example of a peak noise level at 140db is a high calibre firearm at the user’s ear.
To arrange a WorkCover WA compliant hearing test, the employer must provide a Form 18 to Workscreen Medical (link here). Please ensure the Employer WorkCover WA number is on Form 18 so it can be lodged with WorkCover WA accordingly. Note that when requesting a WorkCover Compliant audiometric test an employer shall ensure that the worker is not knowingly exposed in the workplace, and the worker shall not knowingly permit themself to be exposed, to noise levels above 80dB(A) during 16 hours immediately preceding the audiometric test (regulation 19D(2).
Our qualified team of Audiometric officers will lodge your employees hearing tests with WorkCover WA once notification of employment is received.
Resources:
Spirometry (Lung Function Test)
Spirometry is a lung function test used to examine how open or narrow an individual’s lungs are. It measures the capacity of the lungs, as well as how well air can move in and out of the lungs. Occupational health spirometry helps employers and employees identify whether their pulmonary issues require medical attention.
Spirometry can be used to assess for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), along with other lung diseases. Individuals with asthma or other breathing concerns may perform spirometry pre- and post-bronchodilator (Ventolin) to examine the effectiveness of their medication on their airways.
Exposure to hazardous environments including dust, asbestos and dangerous chemicals can lead to obstructed airways and breathing difficulties. It is therefore important to monitor the impact these environments have on employees through periodic spirometry testing. In some circumstances, due to compliance, spirometry testing may be mandatory.
Workscreen Medical can conduct spirometry testing as part of our Pre-Employment Medicals, Periodic Medicals, Exit Medicals or as part of Health Surveillance measures.
We use a modern spirometer, our software is always up to date and the spirometer is calibrated daily.
Drug & Alcohol Testing
Recreational drug and alcohol abuse can present as a hazard in the workforce. Reduced productivity, employee absenteeism, behavioural issues and increased risk of accident are all examples of the negative impact drug and alcohol abuse can have on a company. Employee drug and alcohol testing is a viable strategy to reduce this impact and can be performed as part of a pre-employment medical after an accident has occurred, based on concern/suspicion or as part of mandatory random testing.
Workscreen Medical conducts urine sampling in accordance with the Australian Standards AS/NZS4308:2008 and meets strict chain of custody requirements.
In accordance with these standards, drugs routinely tested include cannabis, opiates, cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine and benzodiazepines.
Laboratory testing is also available, on request, for barbiturates, oxycodone, buprenorphine methadone, alcohol and synthetic cannabinoids.
Workscreen Medical offers both laboratory drug and alcohol testing and instant drug and alcohol screening with the use of an instant-read urinalysis cup and breathalyzer. All non-negative instant results will be transported to secure toxicology labs, via a strict chain of custody for analysis and confirmation.
In-Clinic Echocardiography (ECG) Testing
Echocardiography (ECG) is a safe and accurate device used for the evaluation of cardiac function which complements clinical assessment and cardiac risk scoring. The test is non-invasive, pain-free and provides an instantaneous recording of the heart’s electrical activity. ECG testing is a reliable way to identify any underlying heart disease or cardiac concerns that may have otherwise gone undetected.
Workscreen Medical performs ECG's in clinic to reduce waiting times for results when requested externally. We utilise Industry-leading ECG machines to provide fast and accurate results available for immediate review with our physicians.
ECG's are often routinely requested as part of a medical assessment, such as a pre-employment medical.
Why Request an ECG?
ECG testing can determine the following:
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Heart arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm)
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Coronary artery disease (blocked/narrowed arteries in the heart that may lead to angina or heart attack
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Previous history of heart attack
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Effectiveness of heart disease treatments, ie. pacemakers
Vision Testing
Vision testing is routinely requested as part of our medical assessments by most clients. Certain roles, such as machinery operating requires visual acuity to be at specific levels and will need baseline screening and ongoing surveillance.
Identifying a visual deficit at pre-employment or during surveillance allows the worker to seek corrective lenses from an optometrist/opthalmologist appropriate for their employment.
When a vision test is requested, Workscreen Medical assessment includes:
Distance Vision Screening
Performed using a Snellen Vision Chart, distance vision is screened using the right eye and left eye individually and then using both eyes. If corrective lenses are needed, a corrected vision screen is conducted.
Near Vision Screening
Is performed at a distance of 40cm using a Sussex Vision Chart. Screening is performed with the right eye and left eye individually and then using both eyes. If corrective lenses are needed, a corrected vision screen is conducted.
Colour Vision Screening
Is performed using the Ishihara Colour Plates 1-12. Screening is performed using both eyes.
Depth Perception Screening
Using a stereo depth-perception test allows for the evaluation of both gross and fine stereo vision. In addition to depth perception, this test screens for conditions such as Amblyopia ("Lazy Eye") and Strabismus ("Crossed Eyes"). Depth perception testing is not routinely performed during our medicals, rather is performed on request.
Blood Testing
Workscreen medical can perform a range of in-clinic blood analyses and also collect blood for laboratory testing. These tests are often requested as part of pre-employment and routine medicals.
In-Clinic Point of Care Testing
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Glucose
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Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1C)
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Lipids
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Total Cholesterol (TC)
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High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
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Triglycerides (TG)
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Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
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Non HDL Cholesterol (non-HDL)
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TC/HDL Ratio
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The availability of point of care testing for these commonly requested blood tests ensures a quick turnaround of results to our clients.
Blood Collection
Blood collection for most routine pathology tests can be taken during an appointment / medical for analysis by a NATA-accredited laboratory under the supervision of RCPA-accredited pathologists. A strict chain of custody is followed. Common pre-employment blood testing includes:
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Immunity to infectious diseases - recommended before commencing work in healthcare, aged care, child care, cleaning and animal care.
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Hazardous Chemical Exposure - recommended that pre-existing baseline levels of these chemicals are determined for comparison with future monitoring of the employee