Referral to see or speak to an Occupational Health Practitioner is usually because
a health problem has been identified which has caused you to be absent from work or affected how you are able to work
. The health problem is not necessarily due to your work, but sometimes may be caused or aggravated by work.
What are examples of occupational health?
Occupational health services include
employee wellness, pre-placement testing, ergonomics, occupational therapy, occupational medicine
, and more.
What power does occupational health have?
Occupational health services can have a major effect in
preventing ill health through work and in ensuring employees are able to return to work as early as possible after a period of sickness
. You have the right to work in a safe, healthy atmosphere.
What does occupational illness mean?
For OSHA recordkeeping purposes, an occupational illness is defined as
any abnormal condition or disorder resulting from a non-instantaneous event or exposure in the work environment
. Conversely, occupational injuries result from instantaneous events or exposures.
What is the most common occupational illness?
Importance.
Occupational hearing loss
is the most common occupational disease in the United States: it is so common that it is often accepted as a normal consequence of employment. More than 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise, and an additional 9 million are at risk from other ototraumatic agents.
What is involved in an occupational health check?
The completion of a health questionnaire that asks about health issues relevant to the job. Discussion regarding any pre-existing medical conditions. Health checks related to specific risks associated with the work
. For example, a respiratory health check if the job involves exposure to hazardous substances.
Certain occupational risks, such as
injuries, noise, carcinogenic agents, airborne particles and ergonomic risks
account for a substantial part of the burden of chronic diseases: 37% of all cases of back pain, 16% of hearing loss, 13% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 11% of asthma, 8% of injuries, 9% of lung …
What sort of questions do occupational health ask?
- their health problem.
- any treatment they’re having.
- any concerns they have about returning to work.
What questions do occupational health ask?
Here are some questions to consider including in the referral that will help you to get the most out of your referral: How long have they been suffering from the condition, and how long would you expect it to last? What are the likely causes of the condition(s) and could it be aggravated by workplace issues?
What happens if occupational health say I’m not fit for work?
Not fit for work
This means that
the doctor’s assessment of the patient is that they have a health condition which prevents them from working for the stated period of time
. This is just like on the old ‘sick note’ where the doctor would advise an individual to “refrain from work”.
What are three types of occupational illnesses?
- Carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Rotator cuff tendinitis.
- Arthritis.
- And hernias.
What occupational disease can doctors suffer from?
Occupational diseases of therapeutic doctors, first of all of the phthisiatricians, infectiologists, dermatologists, helminthologists, the laboratory assistants at the bacteriological, virological, helminthological laboratories include the corresponding infections; phthisiatricians, X-Ray doctors, radiologists suffer …
What are the three things that one must always keep it in mind about occupational illnesses?
- Strength of Association. …
- Consistency. …
- Specificity of Association. …
- Temporal Relationship. …
- Biological Gradient (Dose-Response Relationship)
Is stress an occupational illness?
Stress is not a disease or injury but it can lead to mental and physical ill health
. The causes of work related stress can be many and varied, but can be broadly classified into 3 groups. Stress from doing the job – caused for example by monotonous work, too much work or insufficient time.
How do you prove occupational disease?
While each state law is different, to prove that an occupational disease or illness was caused or aggravated by a job, an employee usually has to prove two factors: (1) that the disease was caused by conditions that are characteristic of and specific to a particular occupation and (2) that the disease was not an …
What happens after an occupational health assessment?
What happens after an assessment?
A report summarising the assessment and answering any specific questions from an employer will be sent to the referring manager following the assessment
. During the assessment, the clinician will take a detailed clinical history addressing: a history of any presenting condition.
How long does it take for occupational health to contact you?
To conduct a thorough assessment can take
up to an hour
. Reports are provided between 1 and 3 days after the appointment, depending upon the consent provided at the start.
What are occupational health needs?
Put simply, occupational health deals with
all aspects of physical and mental wellbeing in the workplace
. Anything which causes risk or hazard to an employee—physical or mentally—is an occupational health issue. There are many occupational health and safety challenges and issues faced by employers.
Should I be worried about occupational health?
Your Manager or HR have said you must see Occupational Health?
Don’t worry
. The NHS have trained the Doctors and Nurses there and abide by the same rules about not doing any harm and confidentiality. Just because your organisation might pay them, they will not compromise their ethical duties.
What questions will occupational health Ask me about my depression?
Here are some occupational health assessment questions for depression and mental health problems:
Have you ever suffered with stress associated with work? Are you currently receiving treatment for a mental health issue? Have you previously suffered with mental illness or psychological problems?
What can occupational health do for anxiety?
- changes to your working area.
- changes to your working hours.
- spending time working from home.
- being allowed to take time off work for treatment, assessment or rehabilitation.
- temporarily re-allocating tasks you find stressful and difficult.
- getting some mentoring.
