Four stages in occupational health & hygiene practice 1. RECOGNISE AND IDENTIFY hazards that can cause harm in the workplace. 2. TAKE MEASUREMENTS to determine who might be affected and how (e.g. noise levels). 3. EVALUATE the extent of the risk posed by the hazards. 4. INTRODUCE CONTROL MEASURES to eliminate or minimise the risk.

MAIN TYPES OF HEALTH HAZARD RELEVANT TO OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Physical noise, vibration, heat, radiation, light; Chemical wide range of chemicals in solid, liquid, or gaseous form; Biological Weil’s Disease, Hepatitis, HIV/Aids, Legionnellosis; Ergonomic lay-out of workstations and machine controls, manual handling; Psychosocial stress related problems, bullying, violence.

The role and function of occupational health & hygiene specialists Occupational health involves the following: Pathology – the study of diseases Anatomy – the study of the structure of the body Physiology – the study of the functions of the body Toxicology – the study of the harmful effects of substances on the body Health assessments Pre-employment and other medical examinations Examination of employees exposed to specific occupational hazards e.g. noise. Treatment of conditions in conjunction with hospitals or GPs e.g. physiotherapy Emergency treatment of injury or illness occurring at work Immunology services e.g. vaccinations Advisory services The study and prevention of occupational disease Advice on legislation and codes of practice e.g. health surveillance for lead workers Advice on the medical aspects of new processes Advice on drug, alcohol and stress related illness The training of first aiders (licensed by EMAS – referred to as HSE licence). Advice to employees prior to retirement Help with the preparation of contingency plans for major disasters Rehabilitation re. return to work after sickness absence.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE IN MANAGING ABSENCE DUE TO WORK-RELATED INJURY AND ILL-HEALTH Pre-employment screening to identify those at greater risk of ill-health; Regular health surveillance of existing employees engaged in activities with known health hazards; Collect data on sickness absence, and analyse to identify trends or reasons for absence; Liaise with GPs and provide rapid access to treatments like physiotherapy or counselling to aid return to work; Assist managers to arrange phased return to work where needed; Provide practical advice on adaptations to work practice to minimise risk of repeat injury; Take active part in risk assessment; Advise and encourage employees on healthy lifestyles, e.g. stopping smoking, nutrition, exercise.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE IN RECRUITING NEW EMPLOYEES Pre-employment screening of applicants; Review their health history; Advise management on their suitability for employment; Check the fitness and ability of potential staff to undertake particular tasks (e.g. manual handling; eyesight of driving applicants) Screen for evidence of drug / alcohol misuse where appropriate e.g. drivers; Carry out eyesight tests of workers who would use display screen equipment.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE ON RETURN TO WORK AFTER ILL-HEALTH Assess the worker’s current health condition; Make recommendations to management on possible phased return or redeployment to other or light duties; Liaise with employee’s GP on above; Where necessary, arrange for rehabilitation treatment (or provide it in-house).

WAYS TO ASSIST IN IMPROVING H+S IN AN ORGANISATION Maintain employees’ health records; Monitor sickness absence; Implement rehabilitation programmes; Manage first aid provision and training for first aiders; Provide information and advice to employees on weight management, exercise, and stopping smoking; Undertake health surveillance e.g. audiometry, lung function, eye tests; Provide manual handling training and stress management training; Provide input to developing policies and procedures; Participate in management team meetings and H+S committee meetings; Specialist input to risk assessments; Liaison with other health professionals e.g. local GPs; Liaison with enforcement authority (HSE / EMAS) on health issues. Optionally / possibly: Immunisations; Drug / alcohol screening; Involvement with environmental monitoring programmes.