Within three months of starting
Due within three months of a worker starting work with a listed hazard, so that fitness for the work is checked early.
For employers · Occupational health
Statutory medical examinations for employers
Pre-placement and periodic examinations for workers exposed to workplace hazards, as MOM's regulations require, by Designated Workplace Doctors at Wheelock Place, with X-ray and blood taking on site.
What is a statutory medical examination?
Fit to work with a specific hazard, checked early and then regularly.
A statutory medical examination is a check that Singapore's Workplace Safety and Health (Medical Examinations) Regulations require for workers exposed to certain hazards, such as excessive noise, lead, benzene or silica. A Designated Workplace Doctor (DWD) examines each worker within three months of starting the work and then at regular intervals, to detect overexposure early and help prevent occupational disease.
Our doctors are certified Designated Workplace Doctors. The employer arranges the examinations and keeps the records for at least five years, and a summary report of the results goes to MOM online.
- 19 hazards — on MOM's list, from noise to silica
- Within 3 months — of starting work: the pre-placement examination
- Yearly for most — six-monthly for lead and organophosphates
- DWD only — a Designated Workplace Doctor must examine
How it works
Pre-placement, periodic, reported.
Each hazard has its own examination and schedule. A pre-placement examination is due within three months of starting work with the hazard, and periodic examinations follow, usually once a year. The DWD examines each worker, reviews the results and reports them, so the employer can meet MOM's requirements.
Regular examinations
Usually once a year. Workers exposed to lead or organophosphates are examined every six months, and those exposed to asbestos or silica every three years.
Tests set by the hazard
Each hazard has its own specified tests, for example blood or urine tests or a chest X-ray. Tell us the hazard, and we'll confirm which tests can be done on site at Wheelock Place.
Results and MOM reporting
The DWD reviews each worker's results and advises the employer on fitness for the work. A summary report and a register of exposed employees go to MOM online, and the employer keeps the records for at least five years.
Who it's for
Which workers need statutory examinations?
MOM's list covers 19 hazards. Workers exposed to any of them need pre-placement and periodic examinations. We don't examine for every hazard on the list, so tell us yours and we'll confirm.
Not sure whether a hazard applies? MOM's list and your workplace risk assessment decide.
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Excessive noise
Workers exposed to excessive noise at work.
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Metals
Arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese, mercury and their compounds.
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Chemicals
Benzene, organophosphates, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene and vinyl chloride monomer.
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Dusts, tars and compressed air
Asbestos, silica, raw cotton, bitumen, creosote, pitch, tar, and work in compressed air.
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Work Permit or new-job medical?
Work pass and pre-employment medicals have their own page.
How we work with employers
Plan. Examine. Test. Report.
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Plan
Tell us the hazards, how many workers and their start dates, so pre-placement and periodic examinations are scheduled on time.
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Examine
Each worker brings identification. The DWD takes a history and examines them in private.
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Test
The tests specified for the hazard are done, with X-ray and blood taking on site at Wheelock Place.
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Report
The DWD reviews the results, explains anything abnormal to the worker and reports to the employer for MOM's summary report.
Questions
The hazard sets the examination. The results decide fitness for that work.
A statutory examination does not replace a full health check. For wider screening for your staff, see corporate health screening.
Statutory Medical Examinations: frequently asked questions
Which workers need a statutory medical examination?
Workers exposed to any of the 19 hazards listed under Singapore's Workplace Safety and Health (Medical Examinations) Regulations, including excessive noise, lead, mercury, benzene, asbestos, silica and work in compressed air. Each needs a pre-placement examination within three months of starting the work, then periodic examinations.
Who can carry out statutory medical examinations?
Only a Designated Workplace Doctor (DWD) can carry them out, as the regulations require. Our doctors are certified Designated Workplace Doctors and carry out statutory examinations, though not for every hazard. Tell us the hazards your workers are exposed to, and we'll confirm which examinations and tests we can provide.
How often are statutory medical examinations needed?
A pre-placement examination is due within three months of starting work with the hazard. After that, most hazards need an examination once a year. Workers exposed to lead or organophosphates are examined every six months, and those exposed to asbestos or silica every three years.
What does the employer submit to MOM?
A summary report of the examinations and a register of employees exposed to each hazard, submitted online through MOM's WSH eServices once the examinations are done. Either the employer or the DWD can submit the summary report. Employers keep the records for at least five years.
What happens if a worker's result is abnormal?
The DWD explains the result to the worker and may arrange repeat tests or a specialist's review before advising on fitness to keep working with the hazard. The certification reflects the results, so a fit result can't be promised in advance.
Who receives the workers' medical information?
The regulations set what is reported: the employer receives the results of the specified examinations and the worker's fitness for work with the hazard, and summary reports go to MOM. Other medical information stays confidential and is shared only with the worker's consent.
Do you also do Work Permit and pre-employment medicals?
Yes. Work Permit, Employment Pass and pre-employment medicals follow MOM's or the employer's form rather than the hazard regulations, and they have their own page: Work Permit and pre-employment medical check-ups.
For employers
Arrange statutory examinations for your workers.
Tell us the hazards, the number of workers and their start dates, and our team will confirm the examinations, the schedule and the fees.