What does the occupational health (OH) team do?
Occupational health specialists are ideally and uniquely placed to support and help people stay in work and live full and healthy lives. They play a key role in ensuring the health and well being of the working population by preventing work-related ill health and providing specialist rehabilitation advice. They provide independent, impartial advice to employers and employees on the effects of work on health and the effects of health on work.
For example, the opinion of an occupational health specialist might be crucial in determining how to manage a capability issue or in providing key evidence in a claim to an employment tribunal. As well as addressing issues that occur, a lot of the work of an occupational health service is proactive, aiming to reduce potential problems in the workplace.
Occupational Health Services:
Help prevent work-related health .
Advise on fitness for work, workplace safety, the prevention of occupational injuries and disease.
Recommend appropriate adjustments in the workplace to help people stay in work.
Improve the attendance and performance of the workforce – for example by assisting in the management of sickness absence .
Provide rehabilitation to help people return to work, and give advice on alternative suitable work for people with health problems.
Promote health in the workplace and healthy lifestyles .
Recommend and implement appropriate policies to maintain a safe and healthy workplace.
Conduct research into work related health issues.
Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations including minimising and eliminating workplace hazards .
Advise on medical health and ill-health retirement .
Modern occupational health requires a multidisciplinary approach where doctors work alongside a range of associated healthcare professionals including nurses, ergonomists, hygienists, occupational health advisors, physiotherapists, psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists.
