Regulations on the examination of workers’ vocational competence and training in occupational safety and health have been modified. We would like to assure everyone that health benefits, screenings and medical examinations are still available at Hankook.
All new employees must bring a statement from their general practitioner in a sealed cover (confidential for the employer). A negative lung screening result not older than one year and a “complete laboratory” (blood and urine test) not older than 30 days are required. The last of these can be acquired also at Hankook’s surgery. In case of abnormalities, the applicant will not be admitted, or only with strict restrictions.
This is followed by a medical examination, where the occupational physician decides, after an instrumental examination, on the suitability and the restrictions necessary to protect health, which both employee and employer must comply with.
The employee must participate in an annual periodic medical examination.
At this time, practically the same examinations are carried out as at the preliminary examination. The lung screening takes place on site at Hankook (north-east corner of the QC test building) in a mobile screening van.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act obliges employers to employ workers only for work for which they are medically fit. If someone fails to attend a fitness test (lab, lung screening, medical examination), their fitness cannot be assessed.The offender will first receive 3 EHS points, and if they fail to attend the next appointment, they will be banned from working until they have replaced the missing documents. The period of suspension will count as a certified absence, but no pay will be paid for this period.
The out-of-turn medical examination must be carried out following a long period of incapacity for work (more than 30 days) or following an accident affecting the capacity to work (to be determined by the doctor).
It may also be initiated by the worker if he/she notices a change in his/her state of health which could affect his/her ability to work. This is reported to his/her supervisor and the administrator will send him/her for an unscheduled fitness assessment. Naturally, in the case of a sudden (acute) case, the employee must be accompanied to the doctor’s surgery immediately.
The occupational doctor may decide to carry out further examinations or refer the worker to a general practitioner during the medical examination.
Besides these, an annual screening programme is organised every summer. In addition to the 40 general examinations, we always offer employees new options, such as abdominal ultrasound or melanoma (skin cancer) screening. These were very popular in 2024, with a possible 100-100 people taking part, and the capacity was filled in just a few days.
We are aiming to expand the number of screenings and participation opportunities, and hope to attract more people to participate.