Consent and Reporting of Periodic Screening of Workers Exposed to Chemicals in Factories

Abstrak

This article explores the legal aspects of periodic health screening for factory workers exposed to chemicals, focusing on consent for medical treatment and reporting governance. Utilizing a normative juridical method, the study reviews health legislation, medical practice, occupational safety, labour laws, and personal data protection, analysing the relationships between doctors, workers, and employers. The findings indicate that valid consent must be free, specific, informed, and documented, in accordance with Health Law 17/2023 and related regulations. Effective implementation requires anti-retaliation policies, clear communication, and separation of access between occupational safety and human resources units. In terms of reporting, companies must disclose information to improve working conditions while adhering to medical confidentiality and personal data protection laws. This research proposes a governance model for managing medical records that includes concise reporting formats and security protocols. Compliance with legal standards for periodic screening necessitates written SOPs, privacy training, and mechanisms for objections and reviews, thereby enhancing worker health protection and fulfilling employer obligations without compromising privacy rights. Practical implications involve creating consent forms for various examinations, identifying report recipients, and employing pseudonymization in data analysis. Companies should establish appropriate retention periods for records and ensure controlled destruction. Doctors are encouraged to communicate results clearly to workers, provide understandable explanations, and document refusals without negative labelling. For serious findings, prompt communication while protecting identities is crucial. This framework emphasizes prevention and fosters trust, ensuring voluntary participation in health screenings by workers.