What is occupational health (OH)?
Occupational health (OH) maintains the wellbeing of employees, preventing and removing ill-health and developing solutions to keep staff with health issues at work. OH professionals provide independent advice on staff unable to work due to long-term or short-term intermittent health problems, and organisational wide steps to reduce sickness absence.
Our report Occupational health: the value proposition cites evidence that shows organisations most commonly rank OH involvement as the most effective method for managing the problem of employee long-term absence from work. The document also reports that a healthy workplace culture and the adoption of a systematic approach to OH can contribute to the success of an organisation. Read more about the value of OH and download our report here. We have also produced a report on the global value of OH (find out more here and download the report here).
If you want to find an occupational health company for your employees, go to the SOM Find an OH Provider directory. To find an individual OH professional, visit our Find an OH Professional directory. Resources for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) wishing to engage OH services can be found here.
What do OH Professionals do?
• Carry out pre-employment or pre-placement health assessments
• Develop health and wellbeing related strategy and policies and can provide health advice to employees
They also carry out statutory health surveillance (e.g. when workers may be exposed to hazardous substances or noise).
Different professions in OH can range from doctors, psychologists, technicians, nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists who all play important roles within OH. OH Professionals make a real difference to the health of workers. OH is a rewarding and interesting career and one that allows a good work/life balance.
Visit our Careers in OH page here.
Read our OH Professional profiles here.