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26
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
It is, perhaps, not usually appreciated that the Medical
Officer of Health has an important role in respect of the health
of the Council's staff. His duties include general supervision of
the health of the employees; examination of all staff on entry to
the permanent establishment, and of temporary employees for
admission to the Sickness Pay Scheme; and the investigation of
extended sickness absences.
During the year 246 temporary employees were medically
examined, of whom 209 were found to be of a standard of fitness
which enabled them to be recommended for appointment to the
permanent staff or for entry into the Sickness Pay Scheme.
It is worthy of note that in the second category there was a
preponderance of applicants in the older age groups. It is gratifying
to find that it is possible to continue to employ a number of
men over the statutory retiring age of 65 years.
In every case a chest X-ray examination was carried out.
Abnormalities were found in 19 cases representing 7.7 per cent.
of the persons examined. Apart from the essential place of chest
radiography in routine medical examinations, this procedure is a
useful adjunct to the national scheme for protection against
tuberculosis and other chest diseases in the public.