It is well known that a positive work environment promotes employee wellbeing, helping them feel comfortable voicing their opinions and protected in case of conflict. Any worker should feel they have the freedom to suggest improvements or point out any flaws they may observe in the process. However, the company’s role should not only be to foster a safe space of this nature; it is also its responsibility to safeguard the health of all its employees.
This is where occupational health exams come in – a practice that supports the improvement of employees’ overall wellbeing. With the assistance of a laboratory committed to meeting the needs of our clients and responding with tailored, up-to-date solutions, it is possible to better address the needs of our workers, ensuring they are at their best in the workplace.
What is employee wellbeing?
The employee wellbeing is a holistic concept that encompasses all the factors that impact on health, happiness and satisfaction. of workers, both in their working and personal lives. It refers to the policies and actions that companies take to ensure that their employees feel good in physical, mental and emotional terms.
Este enfoque busca generar un positive working environment that promotes the personal and professional growth.
In order to achieve this, it is essential to take into account a variety of elements that contribute to the construction of such well-being:
Physical health
It is necessary to promote healthy habits, as physical activity, a balanced diet and disease prevention. The company may include programmes of fitness, access to healthy meals or medical check-ups.
Mental and emotional health
It is also imperative to address stress, anxiety, and other emotional issues, which are very common in today’s work environments and can negatively impact work performance.
Las empresas pueden ofrecer psychological counselling, promote a work-life balance, and create a supportive work environment.
Positive work environment
It is essential to create a safe, inclusive, and motivating environment. This includes fostering good relationships between colleagues, respect, open communication, and leadership that values employees.
Work-life balance
Nowadays, it is crucial to facilitate a healthy balance between work and personal responsibilities.
Es muy común que los negocios ofrezcan a sus empleados flexible hours, remote work options, days off and appropriate permissions.
Professional development
Providing opportunities for employees to grow and learn new skills through training programmes or career advancement opportunities and career development support, helps directly create a safe work environment where the employee feels valued and appreciated.
Recognition and rewards
It is necessary acknowledge and reward the efforts and the contributions of employees to reinforce sense of purpose and commitment to the company.
By focusing on employee wellbeing, companies not only improve satisfaction and retention of staff , but also increase productivity and create a stronger workplace culture..
Types
There are several types of clinical exams or workers depending on the timing and purpose:
Pre-employment Exam
This is conducted before the employee starts work to ensure they are fit for the role.
Periodic Exam
These are conducted over time to monitor the employee’s health and detect any changes.
Return-to-Work Exam
Performed when an employee returns to work after medical leave to ensure they are fit to resume their duties.
Exam for job change
This is carried out when the worker changes function or work environment, which could involve new risks.
What are occupational health Exams for?
The occupational health exams are medical evaluations conducted to ensure that a worker’s health is compatible with the physical and mental demands of their job. These exams help to prevent and detect possible illnesses or conditions related to the work environment, which should be addressed immediately. All this not only contributes to a better work climate but also improves the employee’s overall wellbeing. These are some of the key purposes of these assessments:
Occupational risk prevention
These exams help identify if the employee is in the appropriate condition to perform their tasks without risk of accidents or health problems. They also help to detect possible risk factors in the work environment that may affect their well-being for the company to take preventive measures.
Assessing fitness for work
These tests determine whether the worker is fit to perform the duties of the job..
Es especialmente relevante en trabajos que requieren physical effort, operation of heavy machinery or which entail a exposure to dangerous substances.
Early detection of occupational diseases
They allow identify diseases or conditions related to hazardous working conditions, such as exposure to chemicals, high noise, radiation or repetitive strain. Early detection will help avoid to progress and to implement corrective measures.
Compliance with labour regulations
In many countries, the occupational clinical examinations are mandatory by law. Comply with these regulations protects both employees and the company, ensuring that rights are respected and minimum safety conditions are ensured and health at work.
Promote the general health of employees
In addition to the prevention of work-related diseases, examinations can identify health problems that are not directly related to work., providing employees with the opportunity to receive early medical care.
Monitoring of health status
The regular reviews for the employee wellbeing allow monitor their health and how evolves while performing its function, detecting changes that may indicate the occurrence of problems linked to work or need to adjust The working conditions.
Most common lab tests for employee wellness
In the field of occupational health, medical laboratory examinations play a key role in the assessment of employee well-being. They help to identifying risks, preventing occupational diseases and monitoring possible health effects of working conditions.
Algunos de los main medical laboratory tests that are usually carried out in this context are:
Complete blood count
Assesses the general health status of the employee, detecting anaemia, infections or other haematological disorders..
Es especialmente recommendable in employees exposed to environments at risk of infections or chemical substances that may affect the blood.
General urine test (GUS)
The test analyses the chemical and cellular composition of urine in order to detect urinary tract infections, kidney problems, dehydration and the possible presence of toxic substances or drugs..
Es utilizada tanto para la screening for kidney disease or infections, such as in tests for drug detection in certain jobs, ensuring worker health and compliance with labour regulations.
Lipid profile
It measures total cholesterol levels, HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides in the blood. It is important to identify cardiovascular risks, especially in employees with sedentary or high-stress jobs.
Liver function tests
Evaluates liver function by measuring enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase or bilirubin..
Es vital para los empleados expuestos a sustancias tóxicas o químicos que pueden dañar el hígado, como disolventes industriales o metales pesados.
Renal function tests
It monitors the health of the kidneys by measuring creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels.
Blood glucose (glycaemia)
This test is widely known to measure blood glucose levels to detect diabetes or pre-diabetic conditions..
Es especialmente recomendada para trabajadores con family history of diabetes or those who present risk factors, as obesity or unhealthy lifestyles.
Heavy metal exposure testing
They detect the presence of heavy metals in the body that can cause intoxication or chronic problems..
Son fundamental for employees in industries such as mining, the battery manufacturing, paints and those working with welds or with chemical products.
Toxicological tests
They analyse and discover the presence of toxic substances or drugs. in the body. They are very common in jobs where the drug use or alcohol could be a security risk, as in the operation of heavy machinery, in the transport or in industrial sectors.
Thyroid function tests
The function of the thyroid gland is assessed by measuring the levels of thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4).
Estas pruebas se realizan para monitor performance thyroid in employees who may be exposed to substances that can affect their thyroid function. metabolism or its endocrine function.
Pulmonary function tests
It measures the level of carboxyhaemoglobin in the blood for assess exposure to carbon monoxide and other harmful gases. This analysis is required for workers exposed to environments with toxic fumes or poor ventilation, such as firefighters or factory workers.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Assesses the heart’s electrical activity to detect arrhythmias, heart problems or signs of cardiovascular stress.
Es important in jobs requiring a significant physical effort or for employees with risk factors of heart diseases.
Serological tests
They detect the presence of antibodies or antigens in the blood to identify infections such as hepatitis B, C, HIV or viral diseases..
Se utilizan en trabajos de alto riesgo de exposición a enfermedades infecciosas, como en el sector salud.
Blood lead test (plumbemia)
It measures the blood lead levels to identify poisoning. This employee health test is vital for those working in industries such as the mining or in the manufacture of batteries or paint, where exposure to this metal is common.
Hearing tests
Although not a laboratory test, audiometry assesses hearing ability to detect hearing loss..
Se utiliza en empleados expuestos a high noise levelsas in the construction or in the transport.
Uric acid test
It measures uric acid levels in the blood to detect gout or metabolism-related problems. A laboratory that has the resources to perform these tests can become your partner. ideal. At Ambar Lab we aspire to be that work colleaguenot only thanks to our catalog. of more than 3.000 tests, but because we offer you a accompaniment in the management of your business and in the development of new projects.
At Ambar Lab we are not satisfied with what we conventional, we are motivated and excited to offer something extra, with a more human and personalised touch.
Por eso ponemos a tu disposición todas nuestras tools, and if you have any specific questions, just get in touch with our team, who will answer all your questions in a personalised way.