What is Occupational Health?
Occupational health preserves worker and worker population safety and well-being within the work environment. Primarily aimed at assisting businesses in maintaining a secure and healthy workspace, occupational health contributes significantly towards preventing risks and hazards, ensuring employee wellness, and managing injury-related care. Its profound influence resonates across diverse industries and employers, contributing to a safer work environment, limitation of risks, reduction in healthcare costs, and improved workplace productivity.
The Multifaceted Role of Occupational Health
Occupational health covers a wide variety of medical services to certify the physical qualifications of your employees and ensure their safety while performing their duties. This sector is designed to preemptively address health-related challenges in the workplace and facilitate wellness activities for preventing chronic health issues.
DISA’s occupational health services include:
- Physical Exams
- Respiratory Clearances
- Audiometric Testing
- MRO Services
- On-Site Health and Mobile Collection Services
- Lab Work
- Immunizations
- Injury Care
- Physical Abilities Exam/Functional Capacity Evaluation
- On-Site Medical/Nursing Staff
- Scheduled Visits/Clinics
- Surveillance Exams (Asbestos, Hex Chrom, etc.)
- Auditing
- And more!
Additionally, occupational health sometimes includes collaboration with interprofessional teams while also focusing on Total Worker Health initiatives that can include health education, health screening tools, etc.
Recognizing and Addressing Occupational Risks
Occupational health exists to prevent and treat workplace injuries, but the risk remains substantial. According to the National Safety Council, workplace injuries occur every seven seconds, translating to approximately 4.6 million injuries annually. The cost of these injuries, in terms of pain and emotional impact on employees and lost productivity for employers, is significant.
Consider an employee restocking an office supply closet who missteps and sprains an ankle. The subsequent doctor's visit, healing time, and inability to work underscore the need for occupational health services/knowledge to prevent such injuries and expedite recovery. Workplace hazards can vary, with the most common injuries being sprains, strains, tears, soreness, and cuts.
Every job carries health risks, but specific industries have higher-than-usual occupational health risks, including public service, transportation and shipping, manufacturing and production, installation, maintenance, repair, and construction. The key to managing these risks is understanding them, implementing resources to reduce them, and handling them efficiently when they occur.
Advantages of Occupational Health Services
Companies partnering with an occupational health provider like DISA can enjoy various benefits, including
- Reduced risk and costs
- Maximized employee performance and productivity
- Improved reputation
- Investor confidence
Reduced employee turnover rates
Implementing a solid occupational health program helps reduce workplace injuries and reduce risks. It assists companies in reducing overall expenses and helps employees get the exact care they need to treat injuries. Occupational health programs ensure seamless operations by understanding the worker's compensation claims process and emphasizing clear communication.
DISA offers services instrumental in maintaining a safer workplace and keeping employees secure, ultimately contributing to healthier, more productive organizations.
Related Articles:
- DISA’s Dr. Kimberly Olszewski Elected President of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN)
- Should We Remove Marijuana from Drug Test Panels?
- How Do I Know If a Truck Driver Needs to Take a Sleep Apnea Test?
Are you an employer and still have questions regarding employment screening?
DISA can help! Get answers directly from DISA’s subject matter experts with ‘Ask DISA.’
Visit www.askdisa.com to ask your questions today.
About DISA Global Solutions
Founded in 1986, DISA is the industry-leading provider of employee screening and compliance services. Headquartered in Houston, with more than 35 offices throughout the U.S. and Canada, DISA’s comprehensive scope of services includes drug and alcohol testing, background screening, occupational health, and transportation compliance. DISA assists employers in making informed staffing decisions while building a culture of safety in their workplace.