Kindly print out the pdf format bulletins for notice boards. Click on the icon to open the bulletin in pdf format.

22 June 2006: No 32/06

EXIT HEALTH ASSESSMENTS (EXIT MEDICALS)

The approved policy on Concurrent Health Assessments (CHA) in the SANDF and the Defence Instruction on OHS management in the Department of Defence (No 11/2001) refers.

After the resignation or termination of service of uniformed members and Public Service Act employees of the DOD, an exit health assessment (medical examination) has to take place based on the occupational risk exposure profile (OREP) and application risk exposure profile (AREP) of these personnel.

All exit medical examinations need to be finalised before members leave their units and are essential in all cases where members have not undergone a concurrent or occupational health assessment during the previous six months.

The basic exit medical examination may be done at any military health sickbay, clinic or Regional Occupational Health and Safety Centre.

The result of the examination is a health report completed on an official consultation form, which is captured on the SAMHS health information system.

The AREP indicates the potential risk grading ito health and safety per workplace. The OREP indicates the potential risk grading ito health and safety per job description (post profile).

The report must indicate the presence or absence of any occupational injury or disease in compliance with the Compensation for Injuries and Diseases Act of 1993 and the OHS Act of 1993.

A positive diagnosis of an occupational injury or disease must be reported on WCL documentation to the Compensation Commissioner via CHRS (DPM).

Compensation approval will be done at the office of the Compensation Commissioner.

A copy of the final diagnosis must be made available to the member leaving the unit.

The intention is that the member will make this medical certificate available at his or her next place of work, thereby ensuring continuity as he/she goes from one work place to another.

The following are some examples of conditions to be addressed:

Hearing Loss. Members who have been working in noise zones or who have been exposed to weapon fire during exercises or operations need to be assessed per audiogram for hearing loss during their exit medicals, if it has not been done yet.

Other conditions that need to be addressed may be related to the working conditions or job description (OREP & AREP) of members:
Psychological conditions, eg post-traumatic stress amongst members who have been exposed to operational or violent incidents at work.

Back problems amongst nurses, logistical personnel, armourers, etc.

Conditions related to minor injuries on duty that were not reported.

Unreported exposure to chemicals, asbestos or hazardous biological agents in the member’s workplace or during operational deployment.

Radiation Workers. After resignation, termination of service or transfer of a radiation worker the record of service (paragraph B of RC008-1), the declaration by the medical officer (paragraph C of RC008-1), as well as the declaration by the licence holder (commanding officer) must be completed and a copy of the RC008-1 document must be provided to the radiation worker.

Because of the particular importance of exit health assessments the cooperation and collaboration of commanding officers, their human resource functionaries and each member are essential.

Members refusing to report for an exit medical must do so in writing. This will serve as a reference regarding future alleged claims for unreported occupational injuries or diseases.

Any enquiries in this regard may be forwarded to Directorate Occupational
Health and Safety, tel: (012) 6715911 / 5536