Occupational Medicine

They take place:

• In the company – visits by the clinical team to the workplace
• In Medilav® Medical Clinics and Offices
• National coverage. Continental and island territory

The legislation determines the existence of three types of occupational health examinations in terms of the frequency with which they must be carried out (Law No. 102/2009 of September 10, Art. 108). The occupational doctor may reduce or increase the frequency of these examinations at his/her discretion, but they must be carried out within the period in which a new examination is mandatory.

The aptitude form is the document that shows the worker’s aptitude to perform their duties. In accordance with article 110 of Law no. 102/2009, of September 10, the Occupational Physician fills out and signs the respective aptitude form and informs the worker of the results of the respective examination, given the results of the periodic or occasional medical examinations. Aptitude forms are made available electronically at the time of the consultation and are archived on the Medilav® portal for access at any time and place.

If the result of the health check reveals that the worker is unfit, the occupational physician must indicate, if justified, other duties that the worker can perform.

Whenever the work performed and/or the conditions in which it is performed prove to be harmful to the worker’s health, the occupational doctor must also inform the person responsible for occupational safety, hygiene and health services of this fact and, if the state of health so warrants, request that the worker be accompanied by a doctor from the health center or another doctor indicated by the worker.

The right of workers to compensation for damages arising from occupational risks – accidents at work and occupational diseases – is enshrined in the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic.

The general social security system (RGSS) guarantees protection for occupational illness, in which occupational medicine plays an active role in the referral of existing cases. The Occupational Illness Report must be submitted to the Department for Protection against Occupational Illness Risks on a specific form so that it can be certified to determine entitlement to benefits or a pension for occupational illness.

With regard to accidents at work, employers are obliged to take out insurance contracts with insurance companies, transferring responsibility to them:

– Pay for workers absent due to an accident at work;

– Compensation for bodily injury and incapacity, even temporary, for work with the provision of medical care.

At the end of sick leave due to an accident, the Occupational Physician (re)assesses whether the worker’s recovery allows them to return to their normal professional duties. The Occupational Physician issues technical opinions on accidents at work reported by the respective companies, communicating with the respective insurers and the competent authorities in matters of Safety, Hygiene and Health at Work, such as the ACT and the DGS, whenever necessary.

Organization, analysis and communication of statistical data relating to health and safety at work.

Records of medical activities carried out, presentation of the results obtained and clinical recommendations for health promotion.

Evidence of medical audits of the company’s workplaces to observe the main risk factors and their relationship with occupational diseases and other work-related illnesses/health complaints.