Occupational Health Occupational Health Programs Programs

Occupational Health DefinitionOccupational Health Definition

WHO/ILO defines occupational health as:

◦the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental, and social well-being of workers in all occupations

◦the prevention amongst workers of departures from health caused by their working conditions

Occupational Health Program Occupational Health Program ComponentsComponents

1) Safety and Accident Prevention

2) Hazard Identification

3) Exposure Monitoring and Health Surveillance

4) Injury and Illness Management (Case

Management)

5) Emergency Response and Disaster Planning

6) International Travel

7) Ergonomics Program

8) Integrated Job Safety Analysis – identify job activities and associated occupational risk factors and modes of remediation and accommodation

Occupational Health Service GoalsOccupational Health Service Goals

To protect workers from health and safety hazards

To facilitate safe placement of workers according to their physical, mental and emotional capacities

To assure adequate medical care and rehab of occupationally ill and injured

To assist in measures related to personal health

Source: McCunney, R. A Practical Approach to Occupational and

Environmental Medicine, 1994.

Occupational Health DirectivesOccupational Health Directives

OSHA◦ General Duty Clause◦ Lab Standard◦ Respiratory Protection Standard◦ Etc.

Texas Department of State Health ServicesLaboratory Animal Care Accreditation

(AAALAC) Joint Commission accreditation for health care

organizationsOccupational management system standards

(OHSAS 18001)Many others

Employee Risk AssessmentEmployee Risk Assessment

Recommend placement of employeeScreen for health/safety issuesBaseline data: physical, mental,

historicalMeet regulatory mandates (OSHA)Identify exposure and risk factors

that are hazardous to employee’s health

Educate employee on safety & health issues

Exposure Reporting SystemsExposure Reporting Systems

Develop institutional exposure control plan

Identify responsibilities of occupational health personnel

Establish injury/illness reporting mechanismso report forms, telephone hotlines

Worker’s compensation Ensure compliance with HIPAA

regulations

Exposure Follow UpExposure Follow Up

Review of completed report formFollow-up with ill/injured person

◦Ensure documentation of type of exposure along with exposure route-trend analysis

Subsequent visits to employee health as determined by individual circumstances

Safety Devices and Preventative Safety Devices and Preventative MeasuresMeasuresPerform job safety analysis to

determine employee hazard risk categorization

Implement use of retractable syringes, sharps containers, etc.

Engineering controlsPersonal protective equipmentProper immunizations

Insurance Carrier

Workers' CompBoard

OHN/CMInjuredWorker

Manager

Payroll Information

Health Care Provider

Workers’ Compensation Benefits SystemWorkers’ Compensation Benefits System

Case ManagementCase Management

Objectives:

• avoid inappropriate medical care• avoid lost time when able to perform

modified duty• avoid anger, frustration of employee• maintain open communications

between all parties • avoid permanent disability

o encourage rehabilitation, when possible

Program EvaluationProgram EvaluationBuild evaluation into the design of the

programEvaluate based on the objectives (be sure

they were established to start with)Choose an evaluation tool-

◦Chart review or document review, Customer Survey, Observed practices, Trends in employee injury data

Report program information in terms of impact or benefits as well as cost

Consider cost benefit analysis as a part of the evaluation (small cost up front vs. large payout later?)

Characteristics of Successful Characteristics of Successful Health Promotion ProgramsHealth Promotion ProgramsSupport from the

topPriority within

missionInput from mgmt &

workersQualified staffInclude all shifts

Source: Chenoweth, D.H. (1991) Health Promotion at the Worksite

Defined budgetUse on/off site

facilitiesConduct

assessments & screenings with follow up

Participate in community programs