Business owners and hiring managers are obligated to keep their workers safe, and it begins by ensuring that every employee is physically capable of performing his or her duties! The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 guarantees employees the right to a safe working environment, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) provides insurance benefits for employees who are injured on duty. First Choice is Arkansas’ most trusted third-party administrator, and we’re always a phone call away when you have questions about workers’ compensation or need to schedule a fit-for-duty exam!

We offer every conceivable lab test at our southwest Little Rock testing center, and we keep a Medical Review Officer (MRO) on staff to verify all testing results. Our services also include background checks and physicals by appointment. Your new hires will need to undergo a fit-for-duty exam before they start work, and your current employees will need to undergo an additional exam before returning to duty after filing a workers’ compensation claim. Fit-for-duty exams are an essential component of meeting your worker’s compensation insurance requirements and typically take less than an hour.

Worker’s compensation insurance programs are administered by and underwritten by insurance companies and provide numerous benefits to employees who are injured on duty or acquire an occupational disease. Qualifying employees are eligible for wage replacement benefits, and workers’ compensation also covers the associated medical and rehabilitation expenses. The fit-for-duty exam projects employers in two critical ways. For starters, it ensures that new hires are up to the job before they begin or return to work. It also helps employers document prior injuries they’ll be “inheriting,” so they won’t be forced to pay bogus claims for injuries unrelated to the workplace accident.

No matter what type of business you’re in, creating a safe working environment begins with developing rigorous safety procedures that are consistently followed. Your employees should receive thorough training in all safety procedures and continuing education as needed. They should also be empowered to identify hazards and safety issues and take immediate action as needed without fear of any repercussions. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and it should be a top priority in every workplace!

To learn more or to schedule an exam, contact us online or at 501-661-9992.