Occupational Health Flashcards
What are aims of occupational health
Protect worker
Identify hazards
Encourage employer to take action
Investigate and manage work related disease
Problems due to unemployment
Income Self - respect Increased risk of ill health Psychosocial scar Trans-generational Part of community Purpose
What does OH do
Independent and confidential Not part of NHS Advise, support and sign post Fitness to work Equality act Workplace adjustment
What is equality act
Equal treatment regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual, age, relationship, religion
Employer has responsibility to make adjustment
What is disability
Physical or mental impairment
Substantial and long term -ve effect
Automatic if HIV / cancer / MS
NOT addiction
Ethics of seizure and driving
6 months seizure free can reapply
Epilepsy = 1st year or 3 years if only nocturnal
Need 10 years and off medication and neurologist says no risk for type 2 license
What should you ask in occupational Hx
Normal day Hours - shift / early Responsibility / stress Demands - physical / mental Type of environment Travel Organisation - support / isolation etc Ergonomic - posture / equipment Length of service Any other jobs Anyone else have problem Does it get better away Pension / union arrangment Pay status
What is hazard
Intrinsic potential for harm
Types of hazard
Physical - radiation / manual handling / vibration / noise
Chemical - gas / liquids / mist
Biological - bacteria / virus / fungi
Psychological - pressure / bullying
What is risk
Likelihood of harm occurring
What is clinical approach to work disease
Standard medical investigations
What is workplace approach
Assessment of place of employment - hazard / risk / failure for control measures
Action needed
What is epidemiological approach
Study to decide if it was due to work
What is prevention
Appropriate control measures
Elimination of harm substance or substitute
PPE
Training etc
What is Health and Safety at Work Act
Legislation enforced by inspectors or local authority
If occupational disease what do you do
Doctors inform HSE through EMAS
Where can you get compensation
Industrial injuries benefit - state
Civil litigation - employer
What is role of OH in sickness absence
Protect patient
Prevent abuse
Provide independent advise to keep patients in productive work
What does fit note ask
Are they fit for work
Are they fit for work with adjustments
Are they not fit for work
What is rehab
Reintroduction of people to job after illness or injury
Facilitate return
Assessment of physical and mental capacities of individual of demands
What is required for ill-health requirement
Doctor to certify no longer able to work
What do patients get
May have own pension scene so benefit paid until normal retiring age
What are other benefits if due to industrial injury
Social security Statutory sick pay Incapacity benefit Disability living allowance Personal independence payment
What is pre-employment assessment / medical assessment
May be legal in some occupation
What is an accident at work
Unplanned event resulting in loss or damage to people, plant or property
Must be reported if cause +7 days off
Ethics of OH
Responsibility it to patient
Normal confidently apply
Need consent to tell employer
Doctor may have over-riding duty to protect public e.g. driver with blackouts
