Effectiveness of pre-employment assessments in improving worker health in the meat processing industry: a scoping review

Abstract Objective This scoping review aimed to investigate the potential impact of pre-employment assessments (PEAs) on worker and community health outcomes in the Australian meat processing industry. Methods A systematic search was conducted across EBSCO, ProQuest, Scopus, and Ovid (MEDLINE) databases. Peer-reviewed articles written in English focusing on PEAs or similar assessments in the meat processing industry were included. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework for scoping reviews. Results Five articles met the eligibility criteria. Themes emerging from included studies included (1) challenges to adoption and effectiveness, (2) health checks in other countries, (3) assessment tools and methodologies, (4) barriers to effective health and safety practices, (5) injury rates and risk factors, (6) effectiveness of occupational health interventions, (7) historical and contextual, (8) sampling and data limitations, (9) global perspectives and variations, and (10) impact on worker and community health. Conclusion While direct evidence for PEAs in the Australian meat processing industry is limited, the potential benefits for worker and community health are promising. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of different PEA methods, establish causal links between PEAs and improved health outcomes, and address implementation challenges specific to the Australian context. By addressing these research gaps, PEAs may play a crucial role in promoting a healthier workforce and improving community health outcomes in this high-risk industry.