Health Monitoring
Proactive Health Monitoring
Ensuring your team members are safe and comfortable at work is one important part of operating a business; ensuring they are healthy and happy in their workplace is another. LifeCare's Health Monitoring are comprehensive health assessments for everyone.
We offer health monitoring checks onsite, at our locations across New Zealand, or through our mobile clinics, making health services accessible to you, wherever you are.
We can conduct tests for your staff on hearing, lung function, vision, blood pressure, fatigue, Body Mass Index (BMI), cholesterol, blood glucose, cardiovascular disease risk, respirator fit testing, grip strength and range of motion (ROM). After the assessments, the results of these tests will be discussed with you and we’ll provide a personalised health results card with actionable recommendations and next steps.
All data will be securely stored in our online reporting platforms to track health trends over time. The health reports are available on LifeCare online reporting platforms within 48 hours and accessible 24/7.
Checks Available
Hearing
We test hearing to the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for Management of Noise in the Workplace, Occupational Safety and Health Service. This check takes approximately 10 minutes and requires a reasonably quiet environment. Our mobile clinics, equipped with sound booths, are especially convenient for sites that are noisy or lack adequate space, ensuring the tests are conducted in the appropriate environment for accurate results.
Lung function
Lung function is conducted using PC-based spirometers with intuitive diagnostic assessment and reporting capabilities. Spirometry results are assessed against the Lower Level and Upper Level of Normal (LLN and ULN) as well as the associated Z score. The check takes approximately 15 minutes.
Vision screening
Tests include near and far acuity (short and long-sightedness), stereopsis (depth perception), colour vision, night vision and peripheral vision, using a Keystone Vision Screener and manual vision charts. The acuity result is compared against the NZ Transport Agency criteria for the applicable licence type. Consideration is also given to the requirements of the employee’s role e.g. Near vision would be important for a role involving fine precision work such as electronics, small components and sharp objects, whereas stereopsis (depth perception) is important for roles involving operating cranes or excavators.
Blood pressure
We typically utilise a manual blood pressure equipment or a compact electronic device. Blood pressure results are broadly compared against NZ Primary Care and World Health Organisation recommendations. It is preferable for participants to wear loose clothing to facilitate the removal of any obstructions and allow us to place the blood pressure cuff above the elbow for accurate measurements.
BMI (Body Mass Index)
This is calculated using weight and height measurements. It is a useful assessment tool in identifying risk factors for heart disease and other health-related problems.
Fatigue assessment
Life Care uses three fatigue questionnaires; namely, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), and the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery Scale (OFER); and collectively, the results allow an evaluation of current fatigue risk within the company and where appropriate, a review of fatigue risk management practices.
The key element to the fatigue results is to identify the employee’s ability or inability to fully recover, i.e. no longer feel fatigued when they return to work from one shift/ workday to the next.
Those identified with high risk (persistent) fatigue will be referred to their GP for recommendations to better manage their fatigue, and to reduce the risk of excessive fatigue and improve worksite safety.
Cholesterol and blood glucose levels
This involves a small finger prick for each test, using a lancet to produce a drop of blood. This will then be tested using our small electronic meters and takes 2–3 minutes per test. Fasting is not required for these results.
Respirator fit testing
Correct use of a respirator is not as simple as giving someone a mask and expecting them to use it.
A Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) or respirator should always be worn by workers in any environment where hazardous substances are suspected to be present, to minimise the risk of inhaling harmful substances.
Life Care’s Respirator Fit Testing tests the fit of the half face respirator (disposable or reusable) as required by AS/NZS 1715. These tests should be conducted annually (as a minimum). The worker needs to bring their own half-face mask(s) to the appointment for testing.
As an employer, our Respirator Fit Tests enable you to meet your health and safety requirements and protect your business. A respirator must fit securely and be maintained properly to provide optimal protection for your staff.
What to expect
Our consultant will provide a clinical questionnaire to determine the suitability of your employees to participate in the test. Once qualified, the consultant examines the employees’ current half-face or disposable respirator for functionality.
The consultant will then conduct sensitivity testing to ensure that employees can detect the challenge solution. Successful candidates can then undergo qualitative fit tests, which simulate working conditions where the respirator would be worn, to determine whether the respirator fits securely.
After the test, Life Care will issue a certificate indicating whether the result was a pass, fail or if additional quantitative testing is required for each person and respirator tested.
FATIGUE ASSESSMENT
Fatigue Negatively Affects Health, Safety, Productivity And Wellbeing.
Fatigue affects a person’s health, increases the chance of workplace injuries occurring, and reduces performance and productivity within the workplace. Fatigue also increases the chance of accidents occurring while traveling to and from work. Additionally, fatigue can have implications for public safety.
How It Will Help You
The Life Care Fatigue assessment will help to determine if an individual (or groups of individuals) experience moderate to high fatigue and/or excessive sleepiness. Three scientific, extensively researched, validated tools are used to assess different areas of fatigue. You will receive information about the numbers of staff who are experiencing moderate to high fatigue.
Extensive Reporting
Beyond the initial results, if requested by a workplace, an extensive report can be produced, that also includes a comparison of your workplace fatigue data to published fatigue data. In this detailed report, Life Care Nutrition will also provide recommendations and guidelines as to how best deal with the fatigue results.
Fatigue Can Impair Your:
- Strength, speed, coordination, reaction time and balance
- Decision-making skills, communication skills, attention, and memory
- Productivity, ability to handle stress, and physical and mental health.
