Workplace Health & Safety
UAE Occupational Health Guide: Medical Fitness & Health Monitoring 2025
Complete guide to occupational health in UAE. Pre-employment medical, health surveillance, first aid requirements, mental health support, ergonomics, and workplace wellness programs.
Published: January 23, 2026
11 min read read
7 topics covered
Quick Summary: Complete guide to occupational health in UAE. Pre-employment medical, health surveillance, first aid requirements, mental health support, ergonomics, and workplace wellness programs.
Occupational health in UAE encompasses pre-employment medical screening, ongoing health surveillance for hazardous occupations, first aid provision, mental health support, and ergonomic considerations. Employers have obligations under UAE Labor Law to maintain employee health and provide appropriate medical care. This guide covers the full spectrum of occupational health requirements.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Medical Fitness | Required for work visa |
| Pre-Employment | Medical screening mandatory |
| Health Monitoring | Based on workplace hazards |
| Sick Leave | Protected under labor law |
| Regulator | DHA, DOH, MOHRE |
Occupational Health Framework
Understanding employer health obligations.
Legal Requirements
Medical fitness test required for visa. UAE Labor Law Article 13 mandates safe workplace. Ministerial decisions address occupational illness prevention. Health surveillance required for hazardous occupations. Article 31 protects sick leave entitlements.
Employer Health Obligations
Provide safe environment and prevent health hazards. Conduct health surveillance for hazardous exposures. Maintain first aid facilities and trained staff. Ensure access to medical care for workplace issues. Grant sick leave as per law. Provide mandatory health insurance coverage.
Health Authority Oversight
Dubai Health Authority (DHA) for Dubai. Department of Health (DOH) for Abu Dhabi. Ministry of Health and Prevention for federal matters. Each emirate may have specific requirements.
Pre-Employment Medical
Medical fitness requirements for employment.
Visa Medical Fitness Test
Blood test checks for HIV and Hepatitis B/C. Chest X-ray screens for tuberculosis. General examination assesses overall fitness. Results issued within 2-3 days. Conducted at government or approved private facilities.
Medical Fitness Results
Fit: Visa proceeds normally. Unfit: Visa refused for specific conditions. Requires treatment: Treatment then retest. Conditions affecting visa include active TB, HIV, Hepatitis, severe psychiatric conditions, active leprosy, and evidence of drug addiction.
Additional Employer Screening
Based on job requirements, employers may request: Eye test for drivers and operators. Hearing test for noisy environments. Drug screening. Physical ability test. Color vision test. Lung function test. Heart screening (ECG).
| Test Component | What It Checks |
|---|---|
| Blood test | HIV, Hepatitis B/C |
| Chest X-ray | Tuberculosis |
| General examination | Overall fitness |
| Eye test (optional) | Vision for specific roles |
| Drug screening (optional) | Substance abuse |
Health Surveillance
Ongoing health monitoring for exposed workers.
When Required
Noise exposure: Audiometry testing. Dust and fumes: Lung function tests. Chemical exposure: Blood and urine tests. Lead exposure: Blood lead levels. Radiation: Dosimetry monitoring. Manual handling: Musculoskeletal assessment. Night work: General health checks. Driving: Vision and fitness assessments.
Surveillance Program Components
Identify exposed groups by job role and hazard. Schedule surveillance by quarter with appropriate tests. Define action levels for abnormal results. Establish follow-up procedures including review, workplace assessment, control measures review, employee relocation if needed, treatment referral, and increased monitoring.
Occupational Diseases
Respiratory: Asbestosis, silicosis, occupational asthma. Hearing: Noise-induced hearing loss. Skin: Contact dermatitis, occupational skin cancer. Musculoskeletal: Repetitive strain injury, back injuries. Mental health: Work-related stress, PTSD. Infections: Hepatitis in healthcare, zoonoses.
Health Records
Maintain individual employee health records. Document hazard exposure profile. Record all medical assessments and results. Track health surveillance results over time. Note any work-related health issues. Maintain confidentiality of medical information.
First Aid Requirements
First aid provision and training.
First Aid Provision
First aid kit appropriate to workplace hazards. Trained first aiders in sufficient numbers. First aid room for larger workplaces. Emergency numbers displayed prominently.
First Aider Requirements
Up to 50 employees: At least 1 first aider. 50-200 employees: 2-3 first aiders. 200+ employees: 1 per 100 employees. High risk workplaces: Additional based on specific risks. Certification renewal every 2-3 years.
First Aid Kit Contents
Standard contents include: Adhesive plasters (various sizes). Sterile gauze pads and bandages. Triangular bandage for slings. Safety pins and scissors. Disposable gloves. Sterile eye pads. Antiseptic wipes. Adhesive tape. CPR face shield. First aid guide. Burn dressings and cold packs. Additional items based on hazards: eye wash, burn gel, emergency blanket, splints, AED.
| Workplace Size | First Aiders Required |
|---|---|
| Up to 50 employees | At least 1 |
| 50-200 employees | 2-3 |
| 200+ employees | 1 per 100 employees |
| High risk workplace | Additional based on risk |
Mental Health at Work
Supporting employee mental wellbeing.
Work-Related Mental Health Factors
Workload: Excessive demands causing stress. Control: Lack of autonomy in work. Support: Inadequate help from managers or colleagues. Relationships: Conflict, bullying, harassment. Role: Unclear expectations or conflicting demands. Change: Poor management of organizational changes.
Prevention Strategies
Policies: Anti-harassment, workload management, flexible working, clear roles. Training: Manager awareness of signs, stress management workshops, resilience building, mental health awareness. Environment: Reasonable workloads, work-life balance support, supportive culture, open communication.
Early Intervention
Signs to watch: Changes in behavior, increased absence, reduced performance, withdrawal, visible distress. Manager actions: Private conversation, listen without judgment, offer support, suggest EAP, adjust workload if needed.
Support Resources
Internal: HR support, manager support, occupational health, peer support programs. External: EAP counseling services, mental health professionals, crisis helplines. Return to work after mental health absence: Return meeting, phased return option, reasonable adjustments, ongoing support, regular check-ins.
Ergonomics
Preventing musculoskeletal disorders.
Ergonomic Assessments
Office/desk work: Workstation setup assessment. Manual handling: Lifting techniques and training. Repetitive tasks: Work rotation and breaks. Standing work: Anti-fatigue measures. Driving: Seat setup and break requirements.
Workstation Assessment
Chair: Height adjustable, back support, armrests, feet flat on floor, thighs horizontal. Desk: Appropriate height, adequate space, clear underneath, frequently used items close. Monitor: Top at eye level, arm's length away, no glare, directly in front. Keyboard and mouse: Flat or negative tilt keyboard, wrists neutral, mouse close to keyboard.
Work Habits
Regular breaks from screen work. Stretching exercises during the day. Eye breaks looking at distant objects. Posture awareness and correction. Movement throughout the workday.
Health and Wellness Programs
Health screenings for early detection. Fitness programs for physical health. Nutrition programs for healthy eating. Smoking cessation support. Mental wellness initiatives. Annual health checks including blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, BMI, and vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Manage Occupational Health with NeuralHR
NeuralHR supports comprehensive health management with health records tracking for medical documentation, training management for first aid certification, leave management for sick leave tracking, document storage for health certificates and assessments, and compliance alerts for surveillance schedule reminders.
Was this guide helpful?
NeuralHR Team
VerifiedUAE HR Compliance Experts
Our team of HR professionals and legal experts specializes in UAE labor law compliance, with extensive experience helping businesses navigate MOHRE regulations, Emiratisation requirements, and workforce management in the UAE and GCC region.
Related Guides
Workplace Health & Safety
UAE Workplace Health & Safety Guide: Employer Obligations 2025
Complete guide to workplace health and safety in UAE. Legal framework, employer obligations, risk assessment, PPE requirements, safety management, and compliance with MOHRE and Civil Defense regulations.
Read more
Workplace Health & Safety
UAE Workplace Accident Guide: Incident Reporting & Workers' Compensation 2025
Complete guide to workplace accidents in UAE. Incident reporting requirements, investigation process, workers' compensation, disability benefits, return to work procedures, and employer obligations.
Read more
Workplace Health & Safety
UAE Fire Safety Guide: Workplace Fire Prevention & Emergency Response 2025
Complete guide to workplace fire safety in UAE. Civil Defense requirements, fire risk assessment, prevention measures, detection systems, firefighting equipment, evacuation procedures, and fire drills.
Read more