There are only a few employees in my business. Do I still need to consider occupational health?
Yes. No matter how many employees, their health, safety and wellbeing within the work environment has a direct effect on your business. Even if you don't have any employees, you must ensure that your business doesn't create health and safety problems for your customers and the general public.
Is an occupational health service cost effective?
Very. Most research shows that each £1 of OH saves approximately £5 to an organisation's base costs when all health and employment related risks are assessed.
Source: http://www.cohpa.co.uk
What is the difference between Occupational Health Doctors and nurses, and practice ones?
While GPs treat and care for sick patients, an OH Physician's primary role is to protect the employee from work-related illness or injury and to protect the employer from work-related health risks for unfit or unsuitable employees. An OH Nurse is trained in specific skills like health surveillance, sickness and absence management, risk prevention.
Why should I use a professional Occupational Health service?
Like any medical practice, Occupational Health is a profession which takes years of study and experience. Although there are many activities which you can conduct yourself with advice from national organisations, they will not directly apply to your specific businesses situation and employees. An occupational health service offers specific, tailor-made advice and solutions that meet the needs of your business ensuring the optimum health of your employees. They can help you be more aware of the specific work hazards, understand how to assess risks, how these should be controlled, as well as assist in recognising, treating and controlling occupational disease should it occur. Their help can reduce the direct and indirect costs of absence, illness and injury.