OHD/KAW/JC April 2014

Occupational Health Departments

NevillHallHospital

Brecon Road

Abergavenny

Monmouthshire

Tel: (01873) 732849

St Woolos Hospital

Stow Hill

Newport

South Wales

Tel: (01633) 238349

Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr

Caerphilly Road

Ystrad Mynach

Mid Glamorgan

Tel: (01443) 802442

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

A guide to the

Occupational Health

Service

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE – OUR AIMS

The Occupational Health Service exists to “promote and maintain the physical, mental and social well-being of all staff” (World Health Organisation, 1980).

Our aim is to assist with the efficient recruitment of staff and with the management of staff health related issues. We work to protect, support and maintain a healthy working environment.

WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH?

Employers have a statutory duty under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etcAct1974 to as far as reasonably practicable, ensure the health and safetyof their staff.

The Occupational Health Service works closely with staff, managers, the Health and Safety Unit and Infection Prevention and Control Team to assess work processes and identify possible hazards that may affect the health of the workforce.

Where these hazards can be reduced or eliminated, processes are put in place to monitor and reduce health risks.

Occupational Health provides a confidential service to all staff and delivers specialist advice on the effects of health on work and effects of work on health.

services provided by occupational health

  • Advice on managing illness in the workplace.
  • Advice on rehabilitation and redeployment.
  • Vaccination and immunisation services.
  • Surveillance of workers health: lung function tests/ audiometry/skin.
  • Vision screening for regular users of display screen equipment.
  • Pre-placement health assessments.
  • Advice for staff with a disability.
  • Healthy living advice.
  • Advice on managing work related illnesses.
  • Management of sharps/contamination incidents.
  • Identification of workplace hazards.
  • Access to physiotherapy.
  • Advice on ill healthretirement.

Staff counselling is provided by the Employee Wellbeing Service. This service is independent of Occupational Health and can be contacted on 01633 623535

IMPORTANT THINGS YOU SHOULD DO

  • Register with a GP (Family Doctor)
  • Work in a way that protects/respects your health and the health of others.
  • Report health conditions/concerns that relate to your work or working environment.

what should you tell us about

There are a number of important issues that should be notified to Occupational Health. The following list is not exhaustive and if you are in any doubt pleasecontact us for advice.

  • Infectious conditions e.g. diarrhoea and vomitimg

In the health care setting you should normally refrain from working until you have been symptom free for 48 hours. You may also be asked to provide a stoolspecimen.

  • Contact with any communicable condition e.g. chickenpox, measles, scabies, impetigo etc.

Any employee suffering or in contact with these diseases must report their symptoms and details to Occupational Health immediately.

  • Sharps Injuries/Needlestick Injuries

You must report any sharps/needlestick injuries to your line manager immediately. Appropriatefirst aid should be given at the time of the incident and Health Board’s on-line Datix incident report completed.

During weekdays 08:30 to 16:30 hours you must also contact Occupational Health who will follow up your injury with appropriate advice and support.

Outside of these hours, this service is provided by the Emergency Departments based at Royal Gwent Hospital and Nevill Hall Hospital.

  • Skin conditions e.g. eczema, dermatitis, rashes

First point of call for any treatment should be your GP. However you are advised to report the occurrence of all skin conditions to Occupational Health in order to comply with infection controls.

  • Back injuries

First point of call for any treatment should be your GP. However please also notify Occupational Health who may be able to provide additional assistance. Any injury sustained at work must be reported via Health Board Datix incident reporting system.

  • Work related conditions/illnesses/accidents

Any conditions which you feel may be associated with, or made worse by, your work should be reported to your line manager, who may refer you to Occupational Health for assessment. Alternatively you can contact Occupational Health directly.

HOW DO YOU CONTACT US?

Occupational Health Clinics are delivered from a number of sites; however for advice or appointments you should contact one of the following:

Nevill Hall Hospital (Cartrefle House)

External Calls: 01873 732849

Internal: 2849

Fax: 01873 732541

St Woolos Hospital (2nd Floor Maple Centre)

External Calls: 01633 238349

Internal: 8349

Fax: 01633 238341

Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr (Floor 3)

External Calls: 01443 802442

Internal: 52442

The Occupational Health Service is normally available from:

Monday to Friday; 08:30 -16:30