Medical examinations

Medical Visit of Pre-Employment

Every person hired by CERN (staff member/fellow/apprentice), whatever the type or duration of their contract, has to undergo an obligatory medical examination of pre-employment.  A calendar for the next visit is established during this consultation – according to the occupational hazards the person is exposed to, the person’s own individual health history and his or her family antecedents . The calendar for future visits is modified according to changes that occur during the person’s professional or personal life.

On taking up his or her employment, the new member of personnel must fill in an Occupational Hazards Questionnaire. This questionnaire is updated regularly at the time of each medical examination.

Systematic Medical Visits

All members of staff are invited for a medical visit every two years, or every year in the event of specific occupational hazards (for example: shift work), depending on the type of activity a blood test may be required Safety Regulation SR-SO – Annex 2.

Further examinations will be proposed according to the professional or non-professional hazards encountered by each person.

After Absence Due to Sickness or Injury

A medical visit is obligatory:  

  • after an absence from work of more than 3 days following a work accident or an occupational illness; 
  • after an absence from work of more than 21 days due to illness; 
  • if several absences during one 12 month period exceed 90 civil days.

All MPE must contact the medical secretariat in order to make an appointment (Staff Rules and Regulations, Chapter II – Section 4 Article 20). 

After an absence exceeding 2 months, a medical questionnaire is sent to the person and must be filled in by their doctor of choice. This questionnaire must then be sent to the CERN medical advisor.

After an absence exceeding 90 days, a medical examination is scheduled with a CERN doctor, so, if possible, to prepare the return to work (work place adjustments and/or work time, restrictions…).

Medical Visit on Departure from CERN

Staff members, Fellows and Apprentices must pass a medical examination before his or her departure from the Organization and are invited to contact the Medical Service to arrange an appointment. 

Other examinations

Optional or Private Consultations

Staff members, Fellows, Apprentices, Technical Students and Doctoral Students can request a consultation for problems of a medical nature linked to their work and for medical opinions, etc. (Tel. : 78435 / 73186 – email : medical.service@cern.ch).

Workplace visit

Is an assessment of the work station (activities, environment and ergonomy).

A workplace visit can be suggested by a doctor after a medical examination, or by a nurse following a medical intervention at the infirmary. The doctor or nurse will then perform an evaluation of the workplace, sometimes with the help of an HSE specialist.

It can also be initiated by calling the Medical Service secretariat and requesting an appointment.

Medical Advice

Medical advice can be provided for everybody working on the CERN site (firms, users, Staffs members and associates etc…..) at the Infirmery building 57 ground floor (8.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm – 5.30pm)

Medical Prevention for Official Travel Abroad

In the event of official travel to a country at risk of an endemic (disease/condition make contact with the Medical Secretariat (Tel. : 78435 / 73186 – email : medical.service@cern.ch(link sends e-mail)) as early as possible : if a vaccination is necessary, it must be done at least 4 weeks beforehand. After a medical consultation, the necessary vaccinations and drugs will be prescribed. The prescribed vaccinations will be administered by a nurse. The exception is the vaccination against yellow fever, which can only be given in a referenced Vaccination Center.
Vaccinations can be done without an appointment at the following times at:
HUG – 6, rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil – 1211 Genève 14 – Go to the main entrance.

  • Monday, Wednesday and Friday: from 12.30pm to 3.30pm
  • Thursday: from 4pm to 6.30pm
Work on Laser – Medical Follow-up

Anybody working on lasers class IIIb and IV must perform an eye test beforehand, which comprises personal history analysis, long and short sight, as well as color sight.
At the end of this test, a more detailed ophtalmologic exam can be prescribed by the occupational physician in charge.
This exam is made in view to avoiding any risk for people with eye disabilities such as organic or functional monophtalmy, important visual disabilities, cataracts.
This test should be performed every two years.
The CERN medical service deals with the medical follow-up for MPE after being informed by the LSO of their exposition to the lasers class IIIb or IV.
Regarding MPA, the eye test can also be organised by the CERN Medical Service.
Any incident or accident is subject to  :

  • an accident declaration to the medical service
  • a complete ophtalmological examination
  • an official declaration using the forms HS50 and A2.