be well

As an employer you know that your most valued asset is your workforce. It makes good business sense to ensure as far as possible that your staff remain physically and medically fit for work. Occupational health is a unique branch of healthcare which deals specifically with the health needs of people at work.

Occupational health looks at the way an employee’s health can affect their medical and physical ability to perform the duties and tasks for which they are employed. It also examines the effects that work activities can have on employees.

Work-related ill health can occur in any business no matter how large or small. Many health problems can go unnoticed until they are so bad that the employee can no longer undertake their job safely. There are many forms of occupational ill health, for example:

• musculoskeletal disorders (such as bad backs, strains, upper limb disorders)
• cancers
• asthma
• dermatitis and other skin disorders
• deafness or hearing loss
• vibration white finger or whole body vibration
• occupationally related stress
• asbestos related disease

These conditions can seriously affect an employee’s quality of life and their ability to undertake safely the duties and tasks which you have employed them to do.

Some of your workplace activities may be subject to legislation — for example exposure to noise — and you may be required to undertake specific health surveillance such as audiometry.  Our knowledge and experience can help you meet your statutory and moral obligations as an employer and facilitate the early recognition of ill health and disease, work-related or otherwise.

Benefits

An occupational health service offers many benefits to employers, including:

• early detection of ill health and disease
• identification of risk factors which may lead to ill health
• provision of appropriate health education and advice
• compliance with statutory obligations for appropriate health
• screening and education for your employees
• a reduction in work-related ill health
• a reduction in sickness absence rates
• advice on appropriate rehabilitation to get employees back to work sooner
• a safer, healthier, happier and more motivated workforce
• a positive corporate image as a progressive and caring employer.

Occupational health services

Our practices can provide a range of occupational health services including:

• pre employment screening
• fitness for work assessments
• annual health screenings and medicals
• lifestyle advice
• health surveillance
• health promotion
• health education
• risk assessment
• driver medicals
• rehabilitation programme following illness and or injury
• workplace advisory service.

This list is by no means exhaustive and we would be happy to discuss your needs based on your industry.  We will work with you to identify the most appropriate health services for your workforce taking into account the age and gender of your employees, the working environment and budget availability. All of our services can be tailored to meet the particular needs of your workforce irrespective of the number of employees you have.

Next steps

To find out more about how we can provide an occupational health service for your company, please click 'Contact us' to email us, or call 06 834 2388.