Posted By Pete Longworth With the government announcing a new approach to sickness absence: http://www.shponline.co....ame=news&article_id=8232 What do people think will be the likely effect of such a system and how will it operate? On what basis will a GP decide if an individual will be fit for a particular type of work or a particular job? Will they actually visit the workplace and assess the tasks in question, and if so what training will they need to allow them to make an informed judgement or will the assessment be just a complete generalisation.. If not, what use will the "fit" note be? Also, what effect will this have on RIDDOR in terms of someone being adjudged fit for alternative duties?

Posted By Pete Longworth That's what I mean Jay, that is the current situation and any sensible person would say it should remain the situation. But can you envisage a situation where pressure is put on the government to amend RIDDOR in light of the fit note system and if so would that be a good or a bad thing? For my part I can certainly envisage certain employers using the fit note system to pressure empoyees back to work prematurely.

Posted By Merv Newman I'm not sure if this a strictly "members" issue. It would do better, perhaps, on the "open" forum. However, on the "fit note" subject. I'm a great advocate of a gradual return to a normal, productive working environment. Better than being pronounced "100% incapable" and being forced to watch Sky re-runs all day long. I'm also aware that a doctor would need to be familiar with the employee's workplace and duties so as to make an accurate assessment of their patient's capabilities and limitations. Impossible in the UK. However (again) I could envisage a simple(ish) check list which would allow the doctor to categorise the limitations/capabilities of the employee. This could be sent to the employer who would then be responsible for proposing suitable work/hours to the employee. Having been "off sick" myself recently (self-employed so no sick benefits) I refused to watch TV until Carol Vorderman came on, and got through one novel a day. Now I'm back in the office about half-time and she's on in about 15 minutes. Which will mark the end of my working day (or half day) My employer (me) was quite happy that I arranged for a colleague to take over my planned site visits. A demain Merv

Posted By Kieran J Duignan Some may recall how Professor Sayeed Khan, the medical docoment whom the IOSH proposed as a member of the HSC, has publically challenged us, i.e. IOSH members, about our own competence to assess 'occupational health' levels or hazards. The prolonged controversies and confusion about what annual surveys in the UK have revealed to be the two most common conditions associated with absence from work, stress and musculo-skeletal problems, illustrate the scale of the dilemmas associated with controlling 'occupational fitness' (OF). Partly with the intention of understanding this OF concept, I recently completed a CYQ Exercise and Fitness theory course, along with 9.5 days gym training, where theory of cardiovascular and muscular fitness were translated into asssessment and instruction. One conclusion I suggest to the OSH profession is that we should give much, much more attention to indicators (physiological and psychological) of occupational fitness and how they can be reliably and validtly measured, before the proposed new government scheme is 'rolled out'. P.S. Delighted that Merv Newman is fit again, at least to contribute to this Forum: his absence was noticed with sadness and his welcome 'resurrection' is a cause for joy and a little celebration.