Saudi Arabia is introducing mandatory occupational health and fitness screenings for all employees across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development alongside the Ministry of Health, this initiative aims to boost workplace safety, prevent on-the-job injuries, and catch chronic conditions early. The law applies universally to all workers, including new hires, remote employees, and temporary staff. To ensure a smooth transition for businesses, the government is rolling out the screenings in three distinct phases. The first phase requires all new hires to pass a medical check before officially signing contracts or starting work. The second phase expands to current employees, giving immediate priority to high-risk industries like construction and manufacturing. The final phase will bring the rest of the nationwide workforce under the regular screening framework.
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The exams must be conducted by licensed occupational health specialists who will evaluate each worker’s physical and psychological fitness for their specific role, while also screening for chronic conditions like heart disease. Employers are legally required to organize these checkups and cover all associated costs. A re-evaluation is automatically triggered whenever an employee changes job descriptions or returns from an extended medical leave. While the new safety guidelines are strict, they also protect the livelihoods of the workforce. If a screening finds an employee medically unfit for their current role, they are prohibited from doing that specific job, but the employer must try to reassign them to a safer position that matches their health status. Furthermore, employees are given a 30-day window to formally appeal any medical findings they disagree with.
