Offshore and Remote Worksites

Travel to, and working in offshore and remote worksites can pose a significant risk to workers with certain medical conditions:
* On-site health care services are typically provided by nurse practitioners or EMS personnel, with telemedicine support of an emergency physician.
* Medical evacuations can be unexpectedly delayed because of weather
* Living in a camp environment and working long hours imposes social stress and fatigue
* Workers are separated from their family, community, and health services for extended periods of time
* Travel and work scheduling requirements may limit opportunities for an early, gradual return to work

Key challenges in the development of a medical fitness program for offshore and remote workers are to:
* Identify which existing medical standard(s) are most applicable to the job and what medical conditions may compromise travel to and working in a remote workplace
* Develop or adopt a medical assessment protocol (health questionnaires, physical examination, testing) that is relevant, valid, and reliable
* Ensure that essential medications and medical devices are available on-site
* Fully inform workers of the nature and outcomes of the assessment, and obtain consent
* Determine what work limitations or restrictions can be accommodated in the job