Workplace health
Occupational health
Managing occupational health and welfare issues in the workplace means taking steps to promote employees' well-being and prevent illness and injury. This can range from cutting stress and drawing up a drugs, smoking and alcohol policy to stamping out bullying and harassment.
Occupational health issues include those that derive from long-term exposure to risks, such as asbestos, as well as those that derive from immediate injury and disease. They cover psychological and social issues too, such as violence and bullying.
Occupational health concerns aren't an optional extra - all employers have a legal duty of care to their employees. In addition, taking occupational health seriously can bring a range of business benefits:
- lower absenteeism
- improved relationships with customers and suppliers
- improved productivity
- reduced staff turnover
National strategy
An Health and Safety Executive survey in 1995 suggested that over two million people were suffering from illness that they thought was caused, or made worse by, their work. These figures mean great personal suffering, family hardship and costs to individuals, employees and society. The occupational health strategy, Securing Health Together, addresses this.
Key issues
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Resources
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Securing Health Together, a long-term occupational health strategy for England, Scotland and Wales. |
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Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, Europe's leading body for health and safety professionals, represents 28,000 members in over 50 countries. |