What Is an Occupational Health Service?

Occupational health services are defined as "the activities which promote workers' health, safety and well-being at work". They are designed to improve working conditions and prevent workplace injuries. They are carried out by occupational health professionals who work in a range of capacities, from providing clinical care to functioning as part of an external service. In some developing countries, they also provide general medical care. They can provide advice on occupational health issues and organize employee health surveillance programs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines occupational health as "the promotion of the physical, mental and social well-being of workers and the prevention of work-related accidents." The 1982 definition has played a major role in the global development of occupational health, urging states to promote coverage of the most important basic occupational health interventions. In addition to this, the WHO has been asked to stimulate international efforts to promote capacity building. In 2008, the WHO adopted a global plan of action on workers' health. The document is divided into three sections.

It includes guidelines for the provision of occupational health services, models for good practices and guidance on the working methods and practices of occupational health services. The document also encourages the development of primary health care units. Traditionally, occupational health frameworks have focused on work-related hazards. They are mainly suited to large enterprises with educated workforces, though they may not be effective in developing country settings. In such cases, it is necessary to review changes in production systems and determine the basis for changing occupational health practice. In these cases, occupational health services should pay special attention to occupational hazards specific to a branch of economic activity. There are two main types of occupational health interventions: preventive and curative. The first type is intended to prevent diseases before they occur and to prevent injury at later stages. It is often offered without symptoms. It is also called primary prevention. Get the right

The second type is focused on disease or injury processes, and is called tertiary prevention. It is primarily designed to prevent injury after it begins. It is important to note that occupational health legislation can be very broad, leaving open many aspects of organizational structure. Some of the most important elements in national legislation include auditing, quality management systems, the promotion of participation, and a commitment to the establishment of an occupational health infrastructure. These are meant to respond to new and emerging problems in the workplace. An occupational health service is a multidisciplinary team of health experts that works with managers, foremen and employees to promote the health and safety of workers. It is advisable to interview managers and employees to identify the specific needs of the enterprise and its workers. Moreover, the service should establish a programme of activities tailored to the enterprise's needs.

It should also assess the risks of the workplace and develop a set of controls that will improve the environment for workers. In the context of the reforms of the occupational health system in the 1980s, it was mandatory for an occupational health service to be certified by an external auditor. It also required specialists to be registered and qualified by a relevant authority. These reforms were driven by a variety of social and demographic factors. In addition, many factories in the United States were riddled with safety risks. Young workers were frequently employed in them, and toxic fumes and dust were commonly found in them. Consequently, many factories were inefficient in their ventilation systems. You can see more on this here: