If you have been an employer for any length of time, you will have heard the term “occupational health” bandied about myriad times – but it is not always clear exactly what is meant by this phrase. We get asked this question all the time, so here is a brief explanation of what “occupational health” means and how it affects your business place.

What is occupational health?

The field of occupational health refers to the many different aspects of health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace, and is often brought up in reference to accident or hazard prevention. This can include (but is not limited to):

• Prevention of stress- related, repetitive tendon, musculoskeletal and circulation injuries
• Care and attention paid to workers’ wellbeing, mental state and job satisfaction;
• Ensuring that workstations are set up ergonomically to avoid future ill health;
• Ensuring that the workplace is harmonious and free from bullying and undue mental stress.

Why does Occupational Health Matter?

A safe and healthy work place can go a long way in terms of making your employees feel cared for, fostering a positive atmosphere and encouraging company loyalty.

We all know that helping to keep your employees safe and happy seems like a matter of common decency, but when it comes to your annual bottom line the issue can feel less cut and dry. However, saving a few pennies by providing a substandard work environment can cost you far more in the long run. Employees who are regularly ill will miss more days of work, and cost you money on training, recruitment and staff overtime. Shirking this duty is simply not worth any initial savings.

What are the legal implications of Occupational Health?

Under UK health and safety legislation, you are required to protect your employees from any hazards that may arise in the workplace. If this is an area that you are unsure about, or if you think that you may not be taking the correct measures to keep your workers healthy and safe, you should consult an occupational health consultant immediately.

Occupational Health Services – are they worth it?

It can be overwhelming to look around your workspaces and try to determine what needs to be done in order to help your company adhere to UK workplace safety laws. A dedicated professional can be of immense value as they help to guide you through the complexities of occupational health.

In addition to ensuring that you fall within the law, occupational health services can help you:

• Reduce your current annual costs caused by illness absence, litigation and insurance.
• Create bespoke wellness screening and stress management services you’re your staff in order to encourage healthy and happy employees and increase overall performance levels.
• Increase your overall workplace productivity by managing sickness absences.
• Rehabilitation strategies to help any employees suffering from injuries or illnesses return to their optimal health and productivity in the least amount of time possible.

We can help

We are a family run business that specialises in occupational health consulting, and we are dedicated to helping business owners create bespoke strategies in order to prevent workplace illness, rehabilitate injured employees and increase your overall bottom line.

Call or email us today to get started.