What Is an Occupational Health Service?

An occupational health service is responsible for the health and safety of employees. In many workplaces, there are risks and hazards that must be controlled and employees must be considered suitably for their jobs. A well-managed occupational health service promotes employee health and safety and helps prevent work-related illness and injury. These services also help employers manage sickness absence, improve safety practices and analyze workplace ergonomics. In addition, many services provided by occupational health nurse specialists provide assistance in managing employees' health and safety.

 

An occupational health clinic is a special type of health care clinic that is not open to the general public. Meridian Healthcare clinic staff are specially trained to provide targeted injury care based on the workplace and job requirements. Their goal is to reduce the length of workers' compensation cases and keep them within the budget. Occupational health nurses receive special training in specific fields, and billing is often done through the employer's insurance company. Some facilities even offer coaching and wellness tools for employees to improve their wellness and productivity.

 

Occupational health clinics have been around for many years. Until World War II, they were largely confined to large mines and other high-risk workplaces. They were staffed by physicians who had no special training in occupational health. In today's society, most heavy industries, shops, and even universities now have occupational health services. However, many clinics are understaffed, and the statistics are not very useful for predicting the future of the workplace health care sector.

 

The work force of an occupational health clinic includes nurses, advanced practice providers, nurse case managers, medical assistants, physical therapists, and other support staff. The workplace health care team is often a collaborative effort with other departments, including industrial hygiene and workers' compensation and pension. Other health services that fall under the Occupational Health Service are screening tools, educational material, and workplace safety. They also have resources for medical supplies, such as thermometers and respiratory fit testing machines.

 

Optimal collaboration between employers and occupational health services is critical to ensuring the best health of employees. The length of collaboration between the two sides of the Occupational Health Service (OHS) is crucial to ensuring the best possible outcomes. The collaboration must be effective, which means collaborating in a manner that fosters mutual trust. In the case of workplaces, cooperation between the two sides of the OHS is essential to prevent and manage sick leave.

 

The cost of on-the-job injuries and illnesses can be significant for an organization. Not only do workers suffer low-quality work, but employers spend $150 billion on absenteeism and presenteeism. An occupational health nurse can identify signs of poor health during a surveillance exam and advocate for special attention for employees with health conditions. By working with employees, an occupational health program can enhance productivity and satisfaction. It also helps employers educate their employees about safety procedures and encourage prevention of a health condition.

Keep reading on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_Occupational_Health_Services and most importantly, it remains a source of untapped energy as well as wasted potential.