Occupational health is about the effect of work on our health and about
making sure that you are fit for the work that you do.
Under the Health and Safety at Work (1974) legislation, employers have
to take steps to make sure that they are aware of the hazards in a workplace and to control the risk.
Various hazards can exist in the workplace including working with hazardous chemicals, dust or
fumes, lifting and handling of goods, and slips trips and falls. If these hazards are not controlled,
this may result in accidents or conditions such as asthma, or can make existing conditions such as back
pain worse.
An employer must eliminate or control significant risks and this may
include a change in procedure, providing specialist equipment and clothing and may also involve arranging
regular medical checks.
Employees also have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health
and safety and to also take care of others who may be affected by what you do or do not do, to co-operate
with their employer on health and safety matters.
When an illness is caused by work, or when there has been a serious
injury, an employer has to report this to the enforcing authority, which is either the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) or the local authority environmental health department for the area in which you live.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and your local environmental health
department will be able to advise employers and employees on the health and safety legislation. The
HSE Employment Medical Advisory Service (EMAS) can also provide advice relating to health issues associated
with employment. They can be contacted on 01342 334200 The HSE also have a central Information line
Tel: 08701 545500. They also produce a large range of publications and booklets, many of which are free
of charge. These can be ordered by telephone or via their website www.hse.gov.uk.
General Practitioners will be able to give general advice on health
problems, but will not be in a position to investigate possible work related illness.
If an employer wishes to seek the advice of an occupational health professional
they can get information from the Institute of occupational safety and health on consultants registered
with them www.iosh.co.uk Information is also available from NHS
Plus http://www.nhsplus.nhs.uk/This is a network of NHS occupational
health departments across England supplying services to non-NHS employers with a focus
on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)
NHS Direct’s (http://www.nhsplus.nhs.uk)
section on healthy living has a page on occupational health with articles on subjects such as stress
at work, a safe and healthy working environment and backpain in the workplace.
The TUC’s website also has an
extensive health and safety section with information and useful links.
