1. What is Occupational Health?

2. What is the aim of Occupational Health Services (OHS)?

3. Who is on the Occupational Health Team?

4. What services does Occupational Health provide?

5. How long my appointment take?

6. How can I be sure that my consultation is confidential?

7. How do managers refer staff to OHS?

What is Occupational Health? Back to Top

Occupational health practice is concerned with the interface between health and work.  Health problems can have an impact on work and work can sometimes have an adverse effect on health.   Employers are required by law to provide a safe place of work for their employees and they sometimes need professional advice to identify workplace hazards and to manage any health risks arising from these.  They are also required by law to provide ‘reasonable accommodation’ for employees with illnesses and disabilities and they may require professional advice in this area in order to comply with legal requirements.  Occupational health professionals are trained to provide advice in these areas. 

Occupational health services aim to protect, promote and maintain worker health in a healthy work environment.  This involves:

• Taking a preventative and pro-active approach to managing workplace risks
• Carrying out health assessments that are objective and evidence based, thus maintaining the trust of employer and employee alike
• Facilitating prompt management of problems and promoting a rehabilitative approach to ensure that any risk of prolonged disability is minimised, regardless of whether or not the health problem is caused by work

What is the aim of Occupational Health Services (OHS)? Back to Top

Occupational health services aim to protect, promote and maintain worker health in a healthy work environment.  This involves:

• Taking a preventative and pro-active approach to managing workplace risks
• Carrying out health assessments that are objective and evidence based, thus maintaining the trust of employer and employee alike

Who is on the Occupational Health Team? Back to Top

• Occupational Health Physicians

• Occupational Health Nurses

• Occupational psychologists

• Administrator

We also have access to other relevant professionals including physiotherapists, ergonomists and occupational hygienists on a case by case basis.

What services does Occupational Health provide? Back to Top

• Individual assessment of fitness for work (including assessment of employees absent from work due to illness / injury)
• Prevention of occupational illness or injury (e.g. advising employees and managers on assessment of various risks, specialist advice on issues such as workplace immunisation, pregnancy and work, travel health, health promotion, stress management etc.)
• Management of occupational illness or injury (including access to physiotherapy, counselling or other services as required)
• Health surveillance in line with legal requirements
• Rehabilitation and support for employees with health problems (e.g. physical, psychological or addiction)

How long my appointment take? Back to Top

Most appointments last about 20- 30 minutes but more complex assessments may take up to an hour.

How can I be sure that my consultation is confidential?  Back to Top

Occupational health professionals are health professionals bound by ethical codes of practice just like doctors and nurses in other specialties.  They are experienced in communicating with employers and managers and can convey information on fitness for work, the need for workplace adjustment or rehabilitation without disclosing confidential personal or medical information.  Case files are not accessible by any person other than members of the OH team.  Employees have a right to access their own OH file and to seek copies of any reports issued to managers concerning them.   

How do managers refer staff to OHS? Back to Top

The referral is made by the manager or by a member of the Human Resources Team who will firstly have a conversation with the employee to explain why the referral is being made.  Managers and Human Resources professionals understand that they are not entitled to access confidential medical information regarding employees.  They will only be made aware of whether the person is fit for work and if not when.  They will also be informed of any adjustments or accommodations which may need to be provided to facilitate a person’s return to the work environment.