What is an ASO (Occupational Health Certificate)?
TheASO (Occupational Health Certificate)is a document used to determine whether an employee is fit or unfit to perform their duties in the workplace.
TheASO (Occupational Health Certificate)documents all the health risks associated with a specific job in medical terms.
TheASO (Occupational Health Certificate)includes the worker’s identification, the agents to which they will be exposed, and the medical procedures they underwent. It also lists specific additional tests based on the risks associated with each job.
TheASO (Occupational Health Certificate) must be issued for pre-employment examinations, periodic examinations, changes in job duties, return-to-work examinations, and exit examinations.
What is the purpose of the ASO (Occupational Health Certificate)?
Identify the risks associated with each activity carried out within a company and promote the health and well-being of employees.
These are the main functions of the ASO (Occupational Health Certificate).
The document serves as assurance to the company that its employees are or are not fit to perform their duties.
When a doctor certifies that a professional is cleared to return to work, it means that the professional is healthy enough to perform their job.
In other words, the company can be sure that its employees’ health is being protected, while employees know that corporate well-being is important to their employer.
In addition, it is a way to keep an up-to-date record of employees’ health and the occupational hazards present within the company.
It also serves as a medical record for each employee for at least 20 years—the mandatory retention period.
How long is the ASO (Occupational Health Certificate) valid?
The validity period of the ASO (Occupational Health Certificate) typically varies depending on the company’sPCMSO(Occupational Health Medical Control Program).
However, according to NR 07, a Ministry of Labor regulation governing the issuance of the ASO – Occupational Health Certificate, once issued, the ASO – Occupational Health Certificate is valid for 90 days for companies in risk levels 3 and 4 – in accordance with NR 04 – and for 135 days for those in risk levels 1 and 2.
In addition, the law stipulates thatthe ASO (Occupational Health Certificate) must be renewed annually, as must anyadditional testsrequested by the occupational physician.
However, for companies classified as risk levels 1 and 2, it may be renewed every two years, but this decision is up to the organization’s occupational physician.
What is the regulatory standard for the ASO (Occupational Health Certificate)?
The ASO (Occupational Health Certificate) is regulated by NR 07.
It serves as one of the key guidelines regarding employee health and safety in the workplace.
In addition, it makes the development and implementation ofthe PCMSOmandatory for all companies in the country.
All of this is aimed at establishing standards to prevent occupational diseases, control workplace hazards, and promote and protect workers’ health.
Rules for Monitoring theASO (Occupational Health Certificate)?
When we talk about the ASO—the Occupational Health Certificate—there are several requirements involved.
And they are not only directed at the company, but also at the employees, the occupational physician, and theoccupational health clinic.
Find out what the main requirements are:
What are the company's obligations?
The company is requiredto schedule the dates and timesfor all medical exams and procedures for its employees that are related to the ASO.
In addition, she must cover these expenses.
Another requirement is to keep medical records for all employees for at least 20 years.
And she must ensure that this information remains strictly confidential, in accordance with theCode of Medical Ethics.
The company must also submit an annual general report on the health of its workforce to the Internal Commission for Accident Prevention (CIPA).
What are the responsibilities of an occupational health clinic?
Companies that are not required to have an occupational physician on staff may partner with an occupational health clinic.
The clinic, in turn, must have professionals specializing in occupational medicine—an occupational physician or a clinician with a specialization in occupational health—to conduct the examinations and issue the ASO (Occupational Health Certificate).
In addition, the medical facility is responsible for retaining all patient medical records for at least 20 years, while ensuring data security.
What are the duties of an occupational physician?
Understanding occupational diseases and their causes, as well as the realities of the hiring company, are essential for the occupational physician to conduct examinations effectively.
It is important for him to advise employees on any additional tests he may order, explaining the reasons for the request and indicating where to have them done.
When working within the company, you should also be mindful of the deadlines for employees to undergo medical exams.
What are the employee's responsibilities?
The employee's primary obligation arises at the time of the medical examinations.
He must answer all of the occupational physician’s questions honestly.
In addition, it is his responsibilityto arrive at the testing site on the date and time scheduled by the companyand to complete all required tests.
What information must be included in the ASO (Occupational Health Certificate)?
Certain information must be included in the medical certificate, as required by NR 07.
The regulation stipulates that the ASO (Occupational Health Certificate) must contain, at a minimum,the following information:
- Employee's full name
- Identity card number
- Position at the company
- Medical history
- Occupational hazards present in the job he performs or those that are absent—in accordance with the technical guidelines of the Secretariat of Occupational Safety and Health (SSST)
- List of medical procedures performed on the employee during the examination, including any additional tests and the date they were performed
- Name of the physician responsible for the examination and their registration number with the Regional Medical Council (CRM), as well as the name and CRM number of the coordinating physician
- Final opinion stating whether or not the employee is fit to perform the job
- Date and signature of the physician responsible for the examination, and a stamp bearing their medical license number.
In addition, it is important to remember that the professionals responsible for issuing the ASO certificate must prepare two copies: one to be kept on file at the workplace by the contracting company, and another for the employee who underwent the examination.
The ASO (Occupational Health Certificate) must be obtained through the following examinations:
Admission
This exam is administeredbefore the employee begins working at the new company.
Its purpose is to assess whether or not the person is fit to perform their duties.
In this regard, it is essential that the doctor be aware of the duties their patient will be performing.
It's usually a simple test.
It starts with a brief conversation so the doctor can assess the professional’s daily routine and learn about their medical history.
Next, a complete physical examination is performed, during which the following are assessed:
- Column
- Cardiovascular system
- Head and neck
- Respiratory system
- Nervous system
- Digestive system
- Upper and lower limbs
- Urinary system.
In addition to this general evaluation, the doctor may order additional tests if deemed necessary.
Journal
Conducted in accordance with company policies, periodic examinations are held atpredetermined intervals.
For workers between the ages of 18 and 45, these exams are conducted every two years. For those under 18 and over 45, the periodic exam is conducted annually.
In some cases, it can occur at shorter intervals.
This depends on the judgment of the attending physician, whether it is requested by a labor inspector, or even as a result of collective bargaining agreements.
The periodic medical examination must also be conducted annually when an employee works in a position that exposes them to risks or when they already have a chronic occupational disease.
The same is true when workers are exposed to hyperbaric conditions—that is, subjected to pressure higher than what is considered normal—as is the case with divers.
In addition to comprehensive pathological and clinical examinations, during the checkup, the doctor also assesses the patient’s overall health, seeking to identify any mental or physical issues that may be related to their activities.
Return to work
Whenever an employee is on leave from work for 30 days or more, they must undergoa return-to-work medical examination upon their return.
This does not apply to those returning from vacation, as it is specifically intended for employees who had to take time off work due to illness—whether work-related or not—or due to pregnancy.
It must be conducted on the first day back at work.
Change in role
In the event of a change in position, the examination must take place before the change in position takes effect.
It is important for the doctor to assess the employee’s current health status, taking into account the new role they will be performing within the company.
The primary purpose of the job reassignment evaluation isto determine whether the employee is physically and mentallycapable of performing the new duties of the position.
According to NR 07, a change in job function occurs when an employee changes activities, workstation, or department.
In other words, when a person starts working in a new environment that involves risks different from those to which they were previously exposed, a medical examination becomes necessary.
Resignation
In order for an employee’s termination to be formalized, a pre-termination medical examination is required.
It is of the utmost importance that the company be able to certify that the employee’s health was not affected during the time they worked there.
He must also demonstrate that he is qualified to begin working at another company.
The employee undergoes a medical examination conducted by an occupational physician prior to leaving the company.
Routine procedures are performed, and if the doctor deems it necessary, additional tests may be ordered.
If an employee is not eligible for leave due to health reasons, the company must follow the medical guidelines.
In most cases, the employee undergoes treatment, and at the end of the process, a final medical examination is conducted.
An employee is only terminated after the doctor has issued the ASO (Occupational Health Certificate).
Additional Occupational Health Examinations
So far, we have seen that, in many cases, the occupational physician may request additional tests in order to issue the ASO—the Occupational Health Certificate.
Let's take a look at the main ones:
- Spirometry:also known as a pulmonary function test, ventilatory test, or breath test, spirometry measures the volumes and flow rates of air entering and leaving the lungs
- Electrocardiogram:a test that evaluates the heart’s rhythm; the electrocardiogram checks for any blockages or dysfunction in parts of the heart muscle. It is widely used to identify arrhythmias, tachycardia, or bradycardia
- Electroencephalogram:commonly known by the acronym EEG, an electroencephalogram measures the brain’s electrical activity. It records electrical impulses and indicates whether their rhythm and intensity are within the normal range
- Chest X-ray:Performed by a radiology technician and interpreted by a physician, a chest X-ray helps diagnose conditions such as pneumonia and tuberculosis, as well as fractures.
Bibliography
The turnaround time varies by test. It usually takes 1 to 5 calendar days.
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