Occupational Health Services as a process

Kari-Pekka Martimo

Pre-Accession Advisor

I. Contribute to the development of work environment which would be safe for the health of workers

II. Prevent illnesses related to workIII. Preserve and promote the health and work

capacity of workersIV. Make the diagnosis of occupational and

work-induced diseases

Statutory Duties of OHS

• Risk assessment incl. measurements at the workplace• Health examination (health surveillance)• Organisation of medical rehabilitation• Provision of advice to employers on

– adaptation of work– work equipment and PPE– improvement of working conditions

• Psychological counselling• Collaboration with occupational safety specialists• Diagnostics of occupational and work-induced diseases

Statutory Services of OHS

Process model of OHS

Drawing conclusions and setting targets for activities

Collecting data

Follow-up and

evaluation

Processing and comparing data

Using the right

methods

Process model of OHS

Assessing:- physical, chemical and biological exposures at work- physical and mental work load- specific health risks caused by work environment or individual susceptibility- risk of work accidents caused by work environment- employee’s health, work and functional capacity

Collecting data

Using the right

methods

Follow-up and

evaluation

Processing and comparing data

Drawing conclusions and setting targets for activities

Process model of OHS

Collecting data

Follow-up and

evaluation

Processing and comparing data

Drawing conclusions and setting targets for activities

Using the right

methods

Methods/processes:- workplace visits- risk assessments- health surveillance- health examinations- other assessments- collaboration with the employer, managers, employees- collaboration with safety specialists- other documents (e.g. annual report of the enterprise)

Concluding:- health hazards and disadvantages caused by work and work environment- special demands at work- important factors relating to individual health, work and functional capacity- changes in the above-mentioned issues

Process model of OHS

Collecting data

Follow-up and

evaluation

Processing and comparing data

Drawing conclusions and setting targets for activities

Using the right

methods

Methods:- previous information- other references (e.g. other similar workplaces) - scientific knowledge- practical experiences

Process model of OHS

Collecting data

Follow-up and

evaluation

Processing and comparing data

Drawing conclusions and setting targets for activities

Using the right

methods

Process model of OHS

Collecting data

Follow-up and

evaluation

Processing and comparing data

Setting the goals (general/tailor made):- safe and healthy work environment

- e.g. reduction in the incidence of work accidents- prevention of work-related diseases

- e.g. reduction in the prevalence of RSIs- promotion of health and work capacity

- e.g. reduction in life style related risk factors

Drawing conclusions and setting targets for activities

Using the right

methods

Process model of OHS

Collecting data

Follow-up and

evaluation

Processing and comparing data

Targets must be:- customer oriented- practical- achievable

Prerequisites:- professional competence- training- multidisciplinary approach

Drawing conclusions and setting targets for activities

Using the right

methods

Process model of OHS

Collecting data

Follow-up and

evaluation

Processing and comparing data

Selecting the activities:- Which actions have been shown to be effective in improving work environment, as well as individual health and work capacity?; When they should be applied and how often?- What methods are used to assess health risks and work capacity, as well as in health surveillance?- How training and guidance is organised?- How information on work environment and workers is documented and preserved?

Drawing conclusions and setting targets for activities

Using the right

methods

Process model of OHS

Collecting data

Follow-up and

evaluation

Processing and comparing data

Methods:- protection- prevention- promotion- provision of information- rehabilitation- development- training- collaboration-(medical care)

Drawing conclusions and setting targets for activities

Using the right

methods

Process model of OHS

Collecting data

Using the suitable methods

Follow-up and

evaluation

Processing and comparing data

Follow-up and evaluation:

1. To be able to show the effects of our activities • to our customers, to decision makers

2. To be sure of the effects ourselves• to find out possible “side-effects”

3. To be able to improve performance

Drawing conclusions and setting targets for activities

Scientific

evidence,

prediction

and risk

assessment

Professional

competence

experience,

multidisciplin

arity

Needs analysis

Client

participation

Infrastru

cture,

resources,

coverage,

operability

GOHP

Good occupational health practice (GOHP)

Identification& assessmentof OHS needs,

OHS programme

Surveillance ofhazards and

workloads& risk

assessment

Surveillance of health,Health

examinations

Organization and

maintenanceof firsta aid

Maintenance and

promotionof work ability

Work environment&

work methods

Information onobservedhazards &

needs

Training, education and

advisory services on safe & healthyWE and practices

Corrective measures,

rehabilitation

Provision ofpreventive and

curative general health

services

Worker

ORGANIZATION

Prevention& controlmeasures

Initiatives and actions for prevention & control

Operational flow-scheme of the OHS activities in Finland

Dg ofoccupational

diseases

Measuresfor control

technology &safety

Registration & analysis of

ODs andinjuries

Enterpriseepidemiology

Prof. Jorma Rantanen