The role of occupational health
What is occupational health?
Many people aren’t aware of what occupational health encompasses and what it can deliver. Its main purpose is to promote and maintain health and wellbeing in the workplace, including support for employees with a health condition or ongoing health problems. This ensures there’s a positive relationship between your working environment and your overall health.
This could mean ensuring strong health and safety procedures are in place, completing a risk assessment where needed, or providing access to health promotional advice from specialist occupational health practitioners. In 1950 the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) defined occupational health as:
“The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social wellbeing of workers in all occupations by preventing departures of health, controlling risk and the adaption of work to people, and people to their jobs.”
It can be a rewarding and worthwhile career to pursue. It’s also a valuable asset for organisations that want to improve employee health and morale.
Why occupational health is important
Occupational health covers how work can affect your health, as well as how your health can affect your work. The main goal is to identify and manage health risks so employees can work safely and effectively.
Research shows that organisations that value employee health and invest in it, gain many benefits. Both for the business and the employee. A positive focus on occupational health can build a strong and vibrant workplace culture. It can also support an organisation’s overall success.
Healthy workers are more motivated and productive, resulting in less absenteeism and reduced staff turnover, benefitting the business both culturally and financially. Evidence also suggests that organisations with strong employee wellbeing programmes may increase their stock market value.
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Being at work is often better for your health and wellbeing than being out of work. People in healthy, safe workplaces also tend to live longer.
Another benefit of access to an occupational health service is direct support for workers. This support helps when they fall ill, have a work-related injury, are returning to work after absence, or need advice on fitness for work. It gives employees a reliable source to get independent advice and discuss concerns about medical issues or difficulties.
How organisations access occupational health services
Occupational health services are delivered by a team of skilled specialists. This can be provided through an in-house service or outsourced to an Occupational Health Service Provider (OHSP). Large organisations tend to have an in-house OH department and will employ their own OH professionals. Whereas smaller organisations are more inclined to use an OHSP.
An OHSP usually includes many health professionals from different disciplines, such as doctors and nurses with specialist occupational medicine qualifications. It may also include technicians, physiotherapists, psychologists, and more. The organisation’s needs will determine the right discipline and service.
When deciding whether to use an in-house service or outsource to an OHSP, employers should consider several factors. These include business size, the nature of the work, costs, and location.
Although accreditation isn’t mandatory, there is a set of standards known as Safe, Effective, Quality Occupational Health Service (SEQOHS).2 Its aim is to raise the professional level of an OH service and reassure organisations that the OH service is committed to quality and has the capability to deliver to high standards. Both in-house occupational health professionals and OHSPs can be SEQOHS accredited.
Occupational health practice often supports human resources teams with management referrals, case management, workplace adjustments under the Equality Act 2010. Advice where ill health retirement may also need to be considered.
Confidentiality and consent
It is vital that any staff member referred to an occupational health professional clearly understands the purpose of the visit. They should also know what information the system will report back, such as how fit a person is for work and any relevant concerns.
All occupational health professionals work in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and relevant data protection principles. This ensures that all personal information is treated respectfully and sensitively.
Records must be kept for at least 40 years where there is a legal requirement to do so. Personal information may be shared with a third party only with informed consent, unless there is a risk of serious harm and in accordance with the law.
Occupational health training
In the UK, our sales partner, Diatec Diagnostics Ltd, provides a range of competency and refresher training courses in occupational audiometry, spirometry, and vision screening.
The courses combine both theoretical and practical learning, giving delegates a comprehensive understanding of how to carry out occupational health assessments accurately and effectively.
Designed for all levels of experience, the training is suitable for experienced occupational health and primary care professionals. As well as those seeking more in-depth tuition. Each course also provides delegates with CPD points to support ongoing professional development.
For more information about occupational health training courses, please visit Diatec Diagnostics Ltd website.
