How Virtual Workplace Health Assessments Empower Your Remote Workforce

Government Case Study

How Virtual Workplace Health Assessments Empower Your Remote Workforce

The Challenge

A government agency urgently engaged PRAXES Medical Group to assess the fitness for duty of a 79-year-old seasonal maintenance worker at a National Park. The employee’s physically demanding duties – including painting, garbage collection, washroom cleaning, and lawn mowing – were performed in various weather conditions with exposures to dirt, pollen, hazardous materials, and noxious fumes.

Concerns arose about workplace safety after the employee disclosed a reactive airway disease, a respiratory condition that causes breathing difficulties when exposed to airborne irritants. The agency sought clarification on medical restrictions recommended by the employee’s Primary Care Physician, but the available documentation was insufficient to guide safe and effective workplace accommodation. The employee remained on unpaid sick leave while the agency needed to balance safety, productivity, legal obligations, and the well-being of a valued team member.

The Solution

The agency turned to PRAXES for a timely Fitness to Work Evaluation (FTWE). The employer submitted all supporting documentation including employment history, consent forms, job descriptions, WHMIS/SDS data, medical records, prior Occupational Fitness Assessment Forms, and correspondence with the Primary Care Physician through PRAXES Connect, our secure electronic medical record (EMR) system. This centralized portal for collecting Personal Health Information (PHI) ensured privacy, data integrity, and compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., PIPEDA, PHIA, GDPR).

The Evaluation Process

PRAXES’ occupational health team facilitated every stage of the evaluation remotely, enabling clear communication, efficient collaboration, and eliminated the need for the employee to travel for traditional in-person assessments.

Medical History Collection: The employee completed personal and occupational medical history forms digitally. These forms revealed no issues with outdoor exposures (e.g., pollen, dust, grass clippings), but significant sensitivity to airborne chemical fumes in enclosed spaces.
Physician Consultation: Our Medical Director consulted virtually with the employee’s Primary Care Physician, enabling prompt clarification of medical concerns and seamless sharing of consultation notes.
Virtual Intake Meetings: Our clinical team conducted separate virtual meetings with the employer and employee to align on job expectations and explore accommodation strategies without unnecessary delays or travel.
Specialist Assessment: Our Occupational Medicine Specialist held a virtual consultation with the employee to address remaining medical questions and assess the need for additional testing or exams, such as an Independent Medical Examination (IME).
Comprehensive File Review: Our clinical team reviewed all materials in PRAXES Connect to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the case before issuing recommendations.

The Outcome:

PRAXES delivered a clear, evidence-based fitness-for-work decision:

The employee was fit to return to work immediately, with specific restrictions.
Outdoor tasks, including mowing and handling natural allergens, posed no health risk and could be performed without restriction.
Exposure to chemical fumes in enclosed environments was identified as a permanent limitation, and tasks should only be performed in these settings with properly fitted respiratory protection, such as a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR). Respirator fit testing was also recommended to assess both protection and tolerability.
The use of alternative, less irritating cleaning products and task rescheduling was advised to reduce continued reliance on personal protective equipment (PPE).
A two-week monitoring period was recommended to assess the effectiveness and safety of the accommodation.

As a result, the agency successfully implemented a plan that upheld its duty to accommodate, mitigated risk for the employee, and returned a valued team member to productive employment without further delay. PRAXES’ expert team, secure EMR, and virtual tools enabled timely, actionable guidance that provided a transparent and supportive experience for both employee and employer.

The PRAXES Difference

This case illustrates why employers trust PRAXES:

Immediate Expert Access

Our clinical team delivered rapid, evidence-based guidance through virtual tools.

Secure Data Collection and Sharing

All medical data, consultations, and reports were managed securely through PRAXES Connect.

Confidential, Seamless Communication and Coordination

All relevant team members were kept informed about each step in the process.

Tailored, Practical Recommendations

We provide practical plans aligned with job demands, workplace conditions, and employee health needs.

Risk Mitigation

Our approach helps employers meet legal obligations while prioritizing safety, morale, and productivity.

Protect Your Team: Reduce Medical Risk with 24/7 Telemedicine Support

Whether your team works in remote parks, at sea, or in urban offices, PRAXES helps you ensure employees are safe and fit for duty. Contact us to learn how our virtual and in-person occupational health services can support your organization’s health and safety commitments.

Contact us today to learn how we can support your team.

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