What Is an Occupational Health Service?

 

Occupational health services are a vital part of the overall health care system. In 1985, the ILO issued a Recommendation on Occupational Health Services. This recommendation is based on the ILO Convention on Occupational Safety and Health. The ILO definition of occupational health includes the promotion of the highest possible standard of working life, avoiding ill health and accidents. While these services initially focused on the physical and mental health of workers, their scope is now expanding to encompass social and psychological well-being, as well as the ability to live a productive life.

 

Occupational health service is a multidisciplinary, integrated service infrastructure, which has specific objectives, obligations, and rights of workers. The European Union Framework Directive on Occupational Health and Safety adopted by the Council of European Communities in 1989, Neal and Wright 1992, the Dutch ARBO Act Kroon and Overeynder 1991, and the Finnish Act on Occupational Health Services (Council of State Decree No. 1009) were some of the first to address these goals.

 

An occupational health service can facilitate early return to work by working with rehabilitation units. The occupational health service is often familiar with the particulars of a job and its environment, and can explore the possibility of modifying the original work situation, including reducing the number of hours or requiring special equipment. Alternatively, it can arrange for an alternative temporary worker or work location. A comprehensive occupational health service can help employers prepare for unexpected problems and minimize the impact on production schedules.

 

An Occupational Medicine physician is an expert in workplace health and plays an integral role in pandemic response. The service's emphasis on population health and work as a social determinant of health is important to the field. In addition to assessing potential risks, an occupational physician can help businesses implement control systems to minimize exposure. The occupational health physician will help identify early illness, advise on prevention, and help employees comply with the law and health surveillance. The occupational physician can help managers manage attendance.

 

Occupational health services may also assess whether a worker is physically fit for the position. A pre-employment medical examination is important because it provides laboratory and clinical data about the worker's health status. The results of the examination represent a baseline for further health evaluation. Further, a worker's fitness for a specific job may require regular medical monitoring. A health service may also suggest alternative employment for someone with a pre-existing medical condition.

 

An external occupational health service is a good option for smaller companies without a full-time OHS staff. External OHSs typically serve multiple companies. This option allows them to become more familiar with their clients and understand their workers' needs. Further, it provides a low-cost solution for those companies that aren't able to staff their own OHS. However, it is not as cost-effective as the former and is not always the best option for smaller companies. You can learn more about this topic at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupational_medicine.