Business case for occupational health

Reducing medical costs

NHS Sickness Absence Savings Calculator for Employers

The Scottish Government’s online calculator for absence due to ill mental health: a business employing 10 workers is estimated to lose £13589 every year.

The total cost of ill health in the UK is estimated at approx £60 bn every year. That means that the cost of ill health at work is approximately £2500 per employee (adapted from Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, 2007).

These costs can be reduced by 30-40% through managing health risks (www.seemescotland.org, 2018).

Compliance with legislation

The Employers are required by law to assess and manage the risks at work. This applies e.g. to manual handling, noise, asbestos, radiation, lead.

Assessment of fitness to work is required, e.g. for food handlers, drivers, including forklift truck drivers or employees exposed to asbestos, radiation, lead or some chemicals.

You may also see the Health and Safety Legislation and Enforcement convictions pages.