How to Develop and Implement an Occupational Health Management System

Did you know that more than half of employees experience one to two workplace hazards per week? Or that 75% of employees say they are more likely to stay with a company that prioritizes workplace safety?

Those numbers are from a recent survey from Ansel, provider of protective equipment. They reveal an unsettling truth for both employees and employers. While many employees routinely face risks whenever they come to work, employers run the risk of losing those employees if they don’t do something about it.

One thing they can and should do is develop and implement an occupational health management system.

Occupational health management is the practice of identifying and managing workplace hazards that can impact employees’ health. It involves identifying and assessing risks, implementing control measures, and monitoring the effectiveness of these measures, and complying with legal requirements for occupational health. Let’s take a closer look at what developing and implementing an occupational health system involves, the different types of occupational health services that should be considered, and how to handle various legal requirements.

What steps are involved in developing an occupational health management system?

Developing a solid occupational health management system consists of five key steps:

• Identify hazards in the workplace. Identify all potential hazards in the workplace and assess the risks associated with each hazard.
• Evaluate the risks associated with these hazards. Evaluate the risks associated with each hazard to determine the level of risk and prioritize which hazards should be addressed first.
• Implement control measures to reduce or eliminate hazards. Control measures can include engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. Employers must implement the most effective control measures to reduce or eliminate hazards.
• Monitor the effectiveness of control measures. Regularly monitor the effectiveness of control measures to ensure that they are still effective and that new hazards have not arisen.
• Regularly review and update the occupational health management system.This helps ensure that the system is still effective in compliance with any new legal requirements.

What are the legal requirements for occupational health in the workplace?

Speaking of legal requirements, they tend to vary by jurisdiction, but generally include requirements for employers to provide a safe and healthy work environment for employees. These requirements can include regulations related to workplace hazards, employee training and education, protective equipment and clothing, and reporting of workplace incidents or injuries. Your organization must also comply with any relevant legislation related to disability accommodation, workers’ compensation, and human rights.

If your organization fails to comply with these requirements it may face legal consequences, including fines and legal action by employees or regulatory agencies. Therefore, it is important for employers to stay up-to-date with the latest legal requirements related to occupational health and ensure that they are complying with all relevant 

Remember: you have a legal responsibility to identify and assess occupational health risks in your workplace. This involves conducting regular risk assessments and implementing control measures to reduce or eliminate hazards. You must also provide appropriate training and protective equipment to employees to ensure their safety.

Once you’ve identified hazards in the workplace, it’s your responsibility to implement control measures to reduce or eliminate them. These measures can include engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. All in the name of enhancing the wellbeing of your employees and making your organization a safer place to work.

What are the different types of occupational health services?

Now that we’ve gotten the legalese out of the way, let’s look at the different types of occupational health services you should consider:. Medical surveillance involves monitoring employees’ health and well-being to identify and manage occupational health risks. 

• Health screening involves assessing employees’ health status and identifying any health problems that may be related to their work. 
• Health promotion programs aim to improve employee health and well-being through activities like exercise programs, healthy eating initiatives, and stress management programs.

You can also provide support and assistance to employees who are experiencing health problems related to their work. This can include access to medical treatment, counseling services, and disability accommodations. By providing these services, you can help employees manage their health and well-being and reduce the risk of workplace accidents and injuries. 

By providing these types of services, you can support the health and well-being of your employees, which can lead to increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and improved morale. You’ll also be doing the right thing by helping to reduce workplace hazards and showing your employees you value their safety.

Acuity can help. Our occupational health services can be customized to any company and workforce, and are designed to protect employees, increase productivity, decrease healthcare costs, and reduce lost time. 

Contact us to learn more about how to make your employees safer and more productive.