Fitness for duty assessments explained

What it is

A fitness for duty assessment checks that a person is physically and mentally able to do their job safely, today. It covers the things that change from day to day: sleep, alcohol and drugs, illness, injury, medication and stress.

It isn't a medical. It's a quick check at the start of a shift that gives people a chance to speak up, and gives supervisors a record that they asked.

Self-assessment

A self-assessment is a short set of questions each person answers before starting work. It suits every shift: it takes a minute, and it makes fitness for work part of the routine rather than something raised only when there's a problem.

• Have you had enough sleep to work safely?
• Have you had alcohol or drugs that could affect your work?
• Are you unwell, injured or on medication that could affect your work?
• Is there anything else that could stop you working safely today?

Supervisor assessment

A supervisor assessment is for when a supervisor has a concern about someone: signs of fatigue, impairment or illness. The supervisor records what they observe and, where your policy allows, a drug and alcohol test.

Following up a concern

A concern should mean no work until a supervisor has spoken to the person. The outcome might be a different task, a later start, going home or a test. Whatever it is, record it, so there's a clear record that the concern was taken seriously.

LOGFYX's Fitness for Duty covers both assessments. A concern goes to the supervisor straight away, nobody starts until it's cleared, and every assessment is signed and kept.