The Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, Penny Mordaunt MP pledges her support for a new strategy for health in Britain’s workplaces.
The Heath and Work strategy engagement is launched at a time when stress and musculoskeletal disorders account for around 80 percent of all working time lost due to illness.
Last year, work related illness affected around 1.3 million workers and nearly 26 million working days were lost because of it. The economic costs are stark – totalling over £9 billion per year for new cases alone – not including ongoing costs from working conditions of the past.
With an increasing emphasis on health issues in recent years, it is estimated that a quarter of all HSE enforcement notices issued to dutyholders concern issues around health in the workplace.
Employers, employees, professional/expert bodies and colleagues in Government, are encouraged to engage on the strategy through digital webinars, email bulletins and social media. An online page has been developed, allowing stakeholders and public to view and download the strategy, and to post views and comments as part of the engagement process to provide information about their own contributions to improving health at work and to help make a positive change. To join the engagement on the Health and Work strategy please follow the link below: http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/strategiesandplans/health-and-work-strategy/index.htm
How Can Occupational Therapists Support Health in the Work Place?
Occupational therapists (OTs) have comprehensive medical training covering both physical and psychological conditions, and are also skilled in analysing the practical consequences of illness or disability. The profession has a central role in resolving any residual issues following a period of illness and medical treatment, and also in advising employers about the needs of sick or disabled workers when they return to the work environment. OTs can also assist employees who are still at work but having difficulties due to illness or disability.
An OT will carry out a detailed assessment of the needs of the workplace and the abilities of the individual, and identify problems and potential solutions. Where appropriate the OT will provide an action plan and oversee its implementation.
An OT can provide specific advice in the following areas:
Risk assessment and risk monitoring
Once a risk assessment has been carried out, and agreement reached on action required, the OT can monitor progress and review the risks during work retention and rehabilitation programmes, which may involve the presence in the workplace of employees who are not “100 per cent fit”.
Retention programmes and absence management
OTs can assess problems both inside and outside the workplace and establish a retention or return to work plan with employer and employee.
Return to work programmes
Where an employee has been away from the workplace for a long period, and particularly where he or she has a acquired a long-term disability, the OT can advise on the practicality of a return to work, and the need for any modifications to the job role, the work environment, or the hours worked.
Environmental or worksite modifications
OTs are experienced in assessing what adaptations or specialist equipment may be required to assist an employee to perform his or her duties. Where necessary the OT will be able to provide a specification for use by architects or builders, and will be able to liaise with relevant staff and contractors to ensure the work is carried out satisfactorily.
Contacting an occupational therapist
Employers or employees wishing to contact an occupational therapist have a number of options. The availability of occupational therapists in the public sector to assist with employment issues is quite limited because of high demand for their services, and referral routes vary. In some cases the Disablement Employment Adviser based at the local Jobcentre Plus will be able to refer directly to an Occupational Therapist, or give practical advice on local contact routes. This may be the best route to follow initially.
Occupational therapists employed by the local authority social services department can usually be contacted through the local social services office, and an initial enquiry by telephone should be sufficient to establish whether they would be able to assist with employment issues. Contacting occupational therapists working in the NHS is often more difficult, but one of the following routes should be followed:
The employee may ask his or her GP for a referral to the local Occupational Therapy service – in some cases occupational therapists are based in GP surgeries.
A telephone call can be made to the main switchboard of the local general hospital asking for the Occupational Therapy service.
An increasing number of occupational therapists work outside the statutory sector, either independently or employed by private companies.
The main point of contact for such occupational therapists is a branch of the College of Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapists in Independent Practice, (OTIP). OTIP can be contacted via their website, www.otip.co.uk, or through their helpline, 0800 389 4873.
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