Here's why MHRSD introduced mandatory 'Occupational Fitness Tests' for all employees

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) is planning to mandate occupational fitness testing for all employees across the government, private and non-profit sectors. 

The test will be mandatory not just for the already existing workers but also for the new hires in these sectors. The Ministry explained that these tests will be conducted on specific occasions. 

What is an occupational fitness test?

These tests will be carried out on certain specific occasions, as specified by the Ministry in the National Regulations for Occupational Fitness Tests on the Istitlaa Public Survey platform, which is also seeking the perspectives of the public and stakeholders before enforcing these regulations.

It aims to set clear rules for pre-employment medical exams in high-risk jobs, standardize medical forms and check-ups based on each profession, create a detailed health database for all workers, and improve compliance with local and international occupational safety and health standards.

Additionally, there will be three types of tests i.e. general medical testing, additional specialised testing, and psychological testing. 

Why is it mandatory?

The main intention of conducting these tests is to check employees’ health before and during employment to keep them safe and healthy. It will also be a key parameter in preventing many work-related accidents and illnesses, and making workplaces safer for employees. 

Furthermore, the Ministry has framed regulations to check if workers are healthy and fit—both physically and mentally—so they can do their jobs safely. The tests will follow national and international standards. The goal is to reduce work-related injuries and illnesses and help workers stay fit and safe at work.

The notification emphasised that this test applies to employees under specific circumstances, such as:

• After an occupational injury, to assess health and fitness
• When returning from extended medical leave
• If there are concerns about the employee's ability to perform their duties
• When the job requires regular medical check-ups
• If the employee changes their profession
• When there is a change in the work environment
• If new equipment, machinery, or devices are introduced
• Upon retirement, especially for those exposed to long-latency substances like asbestos during their employment

It also clarified that these regulations do not apply to medical examinations that are unrelated to the job or profession. 

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How will these tests determine employees' health and fitness?

“The medical examination for occupational fitness must be conducted by a specialized team under the supervision of an occupational medicine specialist certified by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties and registered with the Secretariat of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health,” the notification stated.

After the pre-employment medical exam, candidates applying for a profession or job will be classified as: 

• Medically fit and allowed to work for ; 
• Medically fit with restrictions or special considerations (including for a specific duration); or 
• Medically unfit, with reasons and duration of ineligibility specified.

The Ministry underscored: “If the occupational fitness requirements are not met after the periodic examination, the workers will be prohibited from continuing to practice their profession, and the supervising management must take the necessary measures to change their profession.”

Furthermore, the worker or employee also gets the right to appeal the test results within 30 days of being notified about their fitness results.

An independent review committee comprising experts in occupational medicine and related fields will review the objection and issue a decision within 15 days.