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Post Offer/Pre-Placement Physicals (POPP)

Presented by

Kelly Cook, CEAS, CPDM, CSMS

RESIG, EHS Program Supervisor

May 2025

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Disclaimer

This presentation is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to express or constitute medical or legal advice. If any medical or legal issues are in question, it is recommended that a qualified medical or legal professional be consulted. Redwood Empire Schools’ Insurance Group and its staff also disclaim all liability for any claims made based on information presented in this course.

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What is a POPP?

Post Offer/Pre-Employment Physical

An objective method to determine if applicant can perform the physical demands of the job they have been offered.

Physicals are paid for by RESIG

Completed at one of our Occupational Health Clinics

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Why POPP?

Required for specific positions – deductibles apply if not POPP’d
Identifies potential physical limitations to perform essential functions before the work begins

Interactive Process Procedures

Reduces workplace injuries (workers’ compensation) and associated costs
ADA/CRC/EEOC – alphabet soup protections
Reinforces your commitment to employee health and safety

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Positions Required to be POPP’d

Custodian
Maintenance Worker
Grounds Worker
Food Service Worker
Special Education Teacher
Special Education Assistant
Van Driver
Warehouse Worker

All Substitutes for any of the above positions

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Results should be received within 48 hours of the physical being completed

Results from the Clinics

Fit

Fit with Limitations (Interactive Process)

Unfit (possibly still Interactive Process – no bright line)

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Mandatory Participation

$10,000 deductible applies if a mandated position is not POPP’d but incurs a work comp and/or P and L claim within the first year.

Exceptions

Applicants who have worked in the most recent school year as a long-term sub for the district in the same job category for which they are applying for permanent position are not required to be screened.

District employees being re-hired into the same POPP position that they worked in the most recent school year are not required to be screened.

If a cafeteria worker is only required to perform non-physical job duties such as paperwork or cashiering a POPP is not required.

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Substitutes

Eliminate delays by having subs POPP’d for any potential POPP position you would like to have them work
If an applicant has worked in the most recent school year as a long-term sub for the district IN THE SAME JOB CATEGORY for which they are applying for permanent position are NOT required to go through the POPP again.
This only applies if the applicant is currently working for the district in which they are seeking permanent position
Substitute Special Education Teachers who have already gone through the POPP physical and worked in the MOST RECENT SCHOOL YEAR for a SCOE Consortium District do NOT need to undergo another POPP medical exam to work in the following school year.

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Examples

A Special Education teacher calls in sick. If another district employee fills in for the Special Education teacher, that employee must be found FIT via a POPP exam before they can sub in that position

A Maintenance worker is out due to an injury. A substitute must be found FIT via a POPP examine before they can sub in that position.

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You asked, we listened��Easier POPP Process

Bus Drivers no longer need to be POPP’d since they go through a DOT exam

Van Drivers still need to be POPP’d

Additional Clinics were added to speed the process

1 year rule

Working in the prior school year in the same position

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We Are Here For You

Kelly Cook, CEAS, CPDM, CSMS

RESIG EHS Program Supervisor

707-836-0779 X108

kcook@resig.org

POPP process questions regarding the physical or results (Do not contact the POPP provider directly)
If there is a delay in receiving results
Reasonable accommodations
Guidance on the Interactive Process