Occupational Health
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Occupational Health is an independent confidential advisory service available to the staff and management of Benenden Hospital. The main function of the Department is to advise on all matters relating to the effect of health on work or work on health, with the aim of preventing ill health and promoting health.
Occupational medicine is primarily a branch of preventative medicine, with therapeutic functions. The main responsibilities of the Occupational Health service are to:
• Have knowledge of the work environment.
• Carry out pre-placement interviews.
• Provide health education for staff and managers.
• Rehabilitate staff back in to the workplace following sickness or an accident.
• Teach and research.
• Liaise with outside organisations.
• Offer crisis counselling and refer to counselling as appropriate.
Provide surveillance for groups at special risk:
• Vision tests for VDU workers.
• Audio tests for those working with noise.
• Respiratory tests for those working with certain chemicals.
• Vibration tests for those working with certain machines.
• Immunisation programmes.
Referral can be from staff themselves for confidential advice on health and work or from managers who can refer to the Occupational Health Department with concerns over an employee’s health or well being for advice and guidance in managing the situation.
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