Good Health

Alan Swann, OH Service

Health & work

The starting point• Work is good for health• Almost all arrive in a good enough state of health to do their job• Most have reasonable resilience

But…• Many jobs involve exposure to hazards• Health status can affect safety• New job new challenges• Stuff happens

» Health can change» Coping ability fluctuates

So…• Health risks need to be managed

Physical Health risks

Musculoskeletal injuries• Back strain• RSI

Infection • Laboratory work• clinical work• overseas travel

Allergy• Animal work• Laboratory/ clinical work (latex)• Workshops (colophony solder)

Chemical exposures• Laboratories• Workshops

When it goes wrong

When it goes wrong

When it goes wrong

Managing physical health risks

Safe systems of work• Assess the risk• Devise & implement controls• Review• Induct & inform

Health assessment/ screening• Fitness• Vulnerabilities

Health protection• Vaccinations

Health surveillance• Animal work• Other allergens

Stress

Is commonIs damaging

• To the individual• To the work• To the organisation

Is contagious

Stress: management ‘s perspective

DemandControlSupportRoleRelationshipsChange

Stress: the individual’s experience

InsecurityUnresolved conflictLack of respectPersonal work skills

Avoiding stress

Clear definition• The job• Expectations• Roles

Good communicationAppraisal

• Training needs assessment• Feedback

Early recognition & resolution of disagreement

Health issues: Support

Occupational Health• Health & Safety

» Assistance with risk assessments» Assessing individual fitness» Vaccinations» Health surveillance» Travel health services

• Staff management» Managing staff with health problems» Consultancy on health concerns» Absence management» Rehabilitation» Disability support

Care First• Supporting staff• Supporting managers

Managing health risks: the Head of Department’s role

Promoting a positive health & safety cultureEncouraging development of line manager competanciesMaintaining awareness

• Health & safety issues• Absence

Considering health issues when:• Planning• Implementing change• Setting objectives

Conflict resolution

Coming your way…

Off-site work policy• Health clearance for travel to tropics

Pandemic flu• Contingency planning

» Research continuity» Critical staff

Staff survey• Encouraging involvement• Following through

Rehabilitation policy• Early OH assessment in long-term absence• Rehabilitation into work