The potential employee is most often asked to complete a Health Questionnaire-this may be a written document or administered verbally by an Occupational Health Nurse.The concern will be to document previous illnesses and accidents as well as any current problems.

The work/sickness record and days lost from work in the last 5 years give an indication of the burden of illness and its impact upon employment.

There will be information collected on Immunisation history and recent investigations-CXR, ECG.

There may be particular tests conducted by the nurse

e.g. Urine test, BP, Peak flow rate, Height and weight, HIV test.

A routine medical examination is only required if on the basis of this information there are possible problems requiring further investigation and discussion.

The purpose of the pre-employment screen is less about excluding people who have, usually, already been accepted as workers but in trying to ensure that they do not have health problems which may be exacerbated by their work. In the workplace their health problems should not put at risk the health and wellbeing of their fellow workers (e.g. epilepsy) nor should it have a deleterious affect upon the end product (e.g. the typhoid carrier)

Well used it can be used for positive discrimination e.g. the disabled worker.