Occupational Health Services
In industrialized countries, the provision of occupational health services is more fragmented than in developing countries. It involves multiple laws that require employers to perform specific activities. Other laws are general in nature, leaving the question of organisation open. In some cases, occupational health services may not be provided at all in small-scale enterprises or the informal sector. This problem is compounded by the limited availability of skilled health professionals in developing countries. But this is not the end of the story. A number of interventions have been developed and implemented to improve occupational health services.
The goals of occupational health services are to prevent and control work-related injuries and illnesses. To achieve this, they must develop a healthy work environment. In 1993, the United Nations Summit on Environment and Development (UNED) touched on the human environment. Agenda 21 includes a range of measures aimed at enhancing the health of workers, including chemical safety in the workplace. As part of its goals, the Rio Declaration mandates minimum health and safety standards in workplaces.
Occupational Health services are provided by in-house and commercial providers. Some larger organisations have their own in-house OH professionals. Other employers choose to employ a full-time occupational physician or nurse. Some organisations outsource their entire OH function to commercial providers, while others engage the services of OH providers as and when necessary. These decisions depend on the size of the business and the nature of its workforce. However, accreditation of occupational health services can help employers ensure the quality of service.As part of their obligations to protect workers' health, occupational health services conduct a walk-through survey of the workplace. Ideally, this is done by a multidisciplinary team composed of workers' and employers' representatives. The team should interview foremen, managers, and workers, and conduct a thorough interview of the workers themselves. If necessary, special health care checks are conducted to protect workers and to prevent or control risks. For example, if a workplace requires special equipment or machinery, workers may be required to wear protective equipment.
In addition to identifying the type of occupational health service needed, an occupational health service should develop a programme of activities tailored to the specific needs of the enterprise. Its functions should correspond to the occupational hazards and health risks of the enterprise. It should also pay special attention to problems that are unique to the branch of economic activity. By analyzing the nature of production, the Meridian Healthcare can better identify the specific hazards that need special attention. This information will also allow the occupational health community to decide on the best way to provide a quality service.
Another task of occupational health services is to monitor workers' exposures to hazardous substances. Occupational health specialists monitor worker exposure and recommend control procedures to minimize the effects of the hazards. They also monitor the effects of overexposure. With this information, occupational health professionals can contribute to preventing occupational health risks. It is essential to know how your employees are being exposed to harmful substances. They can prevent serious health problems and protect workers. They can help prevent diseases and improve the quality of the workplace. Get more informed on the subject above by simply clicking: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health.