Occupational health services are concerned with the physical and psychological well-being of workers in the workplace. They are responsible for evaluating potential health risks and preventing or controlling these. They provide advice to management and workers on prevention and control measures, as well as information and education on workplace hazards and health standards. They can also arrange for the specialized care of injured workers. Their personnel are usually first responders. They can also provide workers with advice on the proper use of personal protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles, and shields. They can also advise workers on how to integrate an injured worker into the organization.
The ultimate goal of occupational health services is to ensure that employees have the highest quality of working life. The goal is promoted by a definition issued by the World Health Organization in 1982: "To promote and protect the mental and physical well-being of workers in the workplace through the development of safe and healthy work conditions." Occupational health services are designed to improve the safety and health of workers, reduce the costs of workplace injuries and illnesses, and facilitate the return to work of employees who have been injured or are ill. In many industrialized countries, occupational health services are provided in accordance with legislation, but are not universally available. Increasingly, new elements are incorporated into national legislation to respond to changing needs of the workforce and working environment.
In most cases, the primary responsibility of occupational health services is to organize first aid. This means providing ambulatory treatment during work hours. This may be done by a general practitioner or an occupational health professional, or it may involve more comprehensive medical care. For example, if an employee breaks an ankle, the occupational health service can fit the ankle with special equipment to minimize the impact of the injury. It can also coordinate with the rehabilitation unit to plan and implement a plan of return to work. Depending on the situation, the employee may need to undergo special training or undergo an examination. You can learn more about Occupational Health services or check out Meridian HealthCare for more guides.
During the course of an emergency, the occupational health service can refer workers to the emergency room or the nearest hospital. This service is also responsible for coordinating the activities of the local emergency services. This is particularly important in major emergencies when many people are affected, and delays in the recovery process threaten the survival of those who are injured.
Occupational health services can help to make the workplace safer by recommending modifications to the work environment, such as reducing the physical workload for workers who are getting older, or by exploring the possibility of limiting work hours or modifying the original job. They can also recommend modifications to the equipment used at the workplace. In addition, they can arrange for alternative staffing that minimizes the negative impact on the production schedule.
Occupational health services should consider the individual needs of each worker and the special circumstances of each enterprise. Their recommendations should be flexible and adaptable to future conditions. They should also address the needs of other groups of workers. For instance, they should ensure that the needs of agricultural workers are taken into account. You can see more on this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HDeQL71_kM