What is occupational health?

 

Occupational health is a medical discipline focused on the mutual relationship between workers’ health and their workplace.

It aims to promote safe, sustainable workplaces and reduce the risk of health and safety complications.

Occupational health services are provided by professionals who advise employers and employees on work-related health matters. The OH support is provided throughout the employment journey, from pre-placement assessments to ill-health retirement.

Occupational health assessments assist employers in

  • Assessing workers’ fitness for their roles,
  • Addressing health needs in the workplace,
  • Facilitating smooth returns to work after illness or injury
  • Complying with legislation.

The advice empowers the managers to make informed decisions about employees’ suitability for a role and to consider necessary workplace support.

 

Mandatory occupational health

Statutory health surveillance is required by law for workers exposed to asbestos, ionising radiation, lead, substances hazardous to health (e.g., carcinogens, asthmagens, infectious agents, respiratory or skin irritants), or working with vibrating tools.

Safety-critical roles such as professional driving, wind turbine or offshore work require health clearance to ensure workers are fit to perform their duties safely.

 

Advisable occupational health

In the UK, Employers have a legal duty to ensure a safe and healthy working environment under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA).

According to ACAS, occupational health support helps employers control risks to workers’ physical and mental health. ‘occupational health is useful for employers who may need help with health-related workers’ problems, e.g., ill physical or mental health affecting employees at work, prolonged sickness absence or return to work after sickness absence, improve attendance levels, seek advice about reasonable adjustments for disabled workers, and other health and safety regulations (ACAS: Using Occupational Health at Work).ACAS

Occupational health guidance in non-mandatory areas, enables employers to

  • Support workers’ health and well-being
  • Promote workplace safety
  • Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation
  • Maximise productivity, reduce absenteeism and presenteeism, and improve staff retention
  • Reduce direct and indirect costs of ill health at work.

 

Occupational health professionals

Occupational health services are provided by occupational health physicians, doctors specialising in workplace health, and specialist nurses (OH advisors).

 

WorkAble Occupational Health

At WorkAble Occupational Health, we offer comprehensive support for both employees and employers throughout the entire workplace journey, from pre-placement medical assessments to guidance on ill-health retirement:

  • New starter (pre-placement) health assessments provide advice on fitness for work and recommend workplace adjustments Read more...
  • Occupational Health Consultations (management referrals) to assist employers in managing health problems at work, prolonged sickness absence or return to work after illness or injury Read more...
  • Statutory health surveillance for workers exposed to specific occupational hazards, including asbestos, ionising radiation, lead, hazardous substances under the COSHH regulations, hand-transmitted vibration (HAVS medicals), or noise.
  • Ill-health retirement

 

More information

More information about the role and the mission of occupational health is available from the Society of Occupational Medicine, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development:

Occupational Health: Line Managers and HR Guide, The Society of Occupational Medicine

Occupational Health: The Value Proposition, Dr Paul Nicholson

Occupational Health Guide, The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development