along with this advice the most inportant part of the medical is the eye sight test , that should be done on a balay machine visual aciity corrected vison 6/9 in one & 6/12 in the other visual fields defect should not be greater than 120 if you wouldlike a copy of the guidlines I could fax them to you

There is guidance on the medical aspects of lift truck drivers from the HSE- its an A4 document with a glossy cover which has to do with all aspects of lift Trucks and it is a small section at the back. This is the type of document an employer would buy in Waterstones, rather than an OH professional test.

As I do not have a copy to hand, the following is from memory . I think I recall seeing a recommendation for screening 5 yearly.

The rationale behind these measurements ( I.e. excluding untreated hypertension and diabetes ), is that they might cause alteration/of consciousness.

There would also be questions on any current medication which might affect ability to drive and alcohol intake.

The test of hearing (simple or automated) is to ensure that the operator will be able to hear warnings. The text discusses the use of hearing aids I think.

It does talk a bit about persons who have or develop disabilities. It is possible to drive a lift truck with only one functioning eye,( as experience in the task may compensate) but probably best not to start training with this problem. With most disabilities, experience of driving and an accident free record are positive indicators.

I would be interested in hearing where I can access the references you mention re urinalysis.

The question regarding glycosuria was intended to broaden my knowledge- I know that for some dip stick tests a high intake of ascorbic acid can give false positives, This is not the case with the sticks I use.

I undertake these medicals on a sessional basis on behalf of a national OH provider. Unless they have a very slick sales department, employers must feel that these are of value and possibly a requirement ( I think they are charged £50 per medical).

I agree that some of the things sometimes added on seem to have little relevance (e.g. peak flow measurement)

However, I am grateful for the income! And as they allow 45 minutes for the screening, I see 8 clients a day (on site), and it is a sedate and satisfying day's work..

----- Original Message -----

From: [log in to unmask]>Greta Thornbory

Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 11:39 PM

Subject: Re: Fork Lift Truck Medicals

I must confess to be a bit confused here. May I ask what evidence base this extensive health assessment for fork lift truck operatives is based on? Is this what is required for health surveillance by HSE? Or is this an excuse for so called 'life style screening' ?' Somehow the fact that you are not sure about the urinalysis results indicate to me that your screening procedures are not in line with the Wilson & Junger criteria (1968) which have been the accepted criteria since that date and quoted by many notable OH physicians and also Naidoo & Wills 2000. I always understood that such operatives needed adequate visual depth perception, but that was all that was necessary over an above any other driver. In fact I can find nothing in HSE literature that requires health surveillance of these workers. Not in the 1999 ACoP or Safety in working with lift trucks 04 or Managing Vehicle Safety at the workplace is there any mention of health screening surveillance, unless I have missed something, and I stand to be corrected. It is interesting to note that the conclusions in the Survey of lift truck accidents 97-0, Report 60, concludes by saying that the causes of all the lift truck accidents can be attributed to truck design, management, work or job organisation or control. No mention of anyone having an accident as a result of a health aspect. So please tell me what I am missing? Why all this health screening?

Greta Thornbory
Consultant, Occupational Health & Education
www.gtenterprises-uk.com
Tel: 01235 770156
Mob: 07778 518 027