Saudi Arabia has introduced the Regulation on Occupational Fitness and Non-Communicable Diseases Examinations, designed to enhance workplace health and safety throughout the Kingdom
The regulation provides a comprehensive framework to enable early detection of non-communicable diseases, enhance workers’ health in workplaces, assess mental and physical fitness, reduce occupational diseases and injuries, and ensure the suiable selection of candidates for sensitive professions. It also seeks to strengthen workplace prevention measures and improve worker wellbeing, thereby improving productivity.
The regulation requires employers to implement mandatory pre-employment medical examinations and periodic check-ups for employees, with special provisions for workers in hazardous or high-risk professions.
It also requires employers to classify roles by risk profile, ensuring that assessments align with actual workplace exposures. This includes tests such as respiratory fit testing, audiometry and spirometry.
In addition, the regulation establishes comprehensive health databases to track the health of all employees, supporting decision-making and enhancing preventive oversight.
The regulation applies to public entities, private sector establishments and non-profit organisations – covering employees of all contract types, including remote workers, trainees and persons with disabilities.
“The new Occupational Fitness & Non-communicable Diseases Examinations Regulation marks a major step forward in Saudi Arabia’s occupational health and safety landscape,” comments law firm Dentons.
“By standardising medical examinations, embedding risk-based approaches and strengthening data protections, the Regulation enhances both worker well-being and organisational resilience.
“For employers, compliance will require investment in systems, training and governance – but the payoff is clear: a healthier, safer and more productive workforce that is aligned with the Kingdom’s long-term economic transformation objectives.”
