Why additional tests are sometimes needed during a medical examination
Additional medical testing may be required when a standard examination does not provide enough information to confirm fitness for duty. It may be necessary to determine whether someone is medically fit for work in the offshore, maritime, or inland shipping sector. This article explains when additional tests may be necessary, what types of tests can be performed, and which regulations apply in each sector. For offshore medicals, we follow NOGEPA Standard 11 — now known as the NL Offshore Medical Examination. For medicals in the maritime and inland shipping sectors, the Handleiding keuringsartsen scheepvaart (Guide for Maritime Medical Examiners) is the guiding framework.
When additional medical testing is required
Additional medical testing is considered when the examining doctor has insufficient certainty about a worker’s medical fitness.
Sometimes a standard medical does not provide a clear picture, there are ongoing symptoms or doubts about medication use, or an individual assessment is required. Examples include an exercise test when there is uncertainty about physical condition, or targeted laboratory testing if diabetes, kidney dysfunction, or liver disease is suspected. For chronic conditions, the examining doctor may also request a written statement from the treating physician. In cases of high BMI combined with concerns about physical capacity, an exercise test may likewise be required.
In cases of doubt or when an individual assessment is required, the examining doctor may consult the Medical Advisor for Shipping at the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) or the medical advisor of NOGEPA. This mainly occurs when considering a conditional certificate or in situations involving a previous disqualification.
Costs and coordination of additional medical testing
Additional medical testing is not included in the standard examination fee. This means you will usually have to pay for them yourself, unless your employer covers the cost. Be sure to ask in advance about the applicable rates and whether any extra tests are required.
A careful follow-up
Additional medical testing is not an exception but a normal part of a thorough medical evaluation. It enables the examining physician to make well-founded decisions about your fitness for duty. Throughout this process, transparency, consultation, and timely communication are essential.
Contact OmniHealth for a professional assessment and personalized advice.
Written by Sven Daam, ILT-, OEUK- and ElementNL-certified medical examiner specialising in maritime and offshore health assessments.
Safeguarding fitness for work
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