Health and safety, risk management and occupational health; the jigsaw pieces in the management of workplace health.

In this blog I wanted to discuss health and safety and how occupational health compliments and offers reassurance during the often-uncertain process.

In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the main governing body for health and safety in the workplace. To understand what we mean by health and safety, is may be useful to define the health and safety.  The HSE (2019) provides the following definition;

“Health and safety is the process for preventing people from being harmed by work or becoming ill by taking the right precautions and providing a satisfactory work environment.”

Underpinning the HSE guidance is Health and safety legislation. This legislation provides a legal framework for employers and employees to adhere to. In brief the law says that as an employer you must assess, prevent or control the risk in your workplace. The legislation which this refers to the Health and Safety and Work Act (HSAW 1974) and Management of health and safety at work regulations (MHSW 1999). Along with other industry specific legislation, for example in construction the following hazards may apply:

• Exposure to asbestos, dust, silica, lead, chemicals, sunlight, exhaust emissions.
• Frequent loud noises
• Excessive or frequent manual handling loads.
• Frequent or prolonged use of vibrating tools.
• Exposure to stress or fatigue.

The legislation and the HSE as a guidance body, suggest that there needs to be a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk to employer’s health and safety and the risk to others created by the work.

As with all workplaces, there are hazards, whether that is administration tasks or preforming activities on a construction site. The employer has a duty of care to ensure that the workers health is not harmed.

In the majority of workplaces, the risks are usually identified, assessed and controlled by either health and safety or management, through a sensible approach to risk management, aiming to protect the workforce. The HSE provide some very user-friendly tools to discuss risk management in the workplace which is applicable to business` with more than 5 employees.

A five step approach to a risk assessment can be seen below;

If the employer identifies a risk, they need to consider who it may harm and how it can be prevented or controlled. For example, through modifyinig or eliminating working methods or working with alternative machinery or material.

If the risk can`t be removed, then the risk needs to be controlled. The HSE recommends considering the risk and deciding on reasonable steps to prevent or control the risk, so that harm is unlikely, focusing on sensible and proportionate measures to control risk in the workplace.

Depending upon the industry and the risks identified, in some circumstances the employer may be advised to seek external experts such as health professionals. Health professionals who specialise in Occupational health area able to advise on the health effects of particular work activities, such as health surveillance or periodic medicals to meet health and safety legislation requirements.

The health professionals who advise upon workplace health work within an area of medicine called occupational health. Occupational health is concerned with the impact of work on an employee’s health and the health impact of an employee on their work activities.

Occupational health management puts into place, systems to manage the risks of ill health caused by work activities. This promotes health and wellbeing and aims to prevent disabilities and premature death associated with work.

The involvement of health professionals in promoting workplace health and safety highlights the workers value. It encourages workers to take ownership of their health and provides opportunity for the worker to discuss concerns or challenge behaviour or attitudes. It also provides opportunity for the health professional to coach, influence and educate workers about workplace risks.

In my view health and safety focuses on the physical and operational working of the environment, whereas occupational health is primarily focused on the employee in the environment.  In my opinion there is a need for collaborative working to ensure that work force health is optimised, which will allow the business to flourish.

References

HSE (2019). Cited at www.hse.gov.uk