Occupational health and welfare: an overview

Manage occupational health

To establish and maintain a working environment that safeguards staff welfare you need to put into place systems which allow you to:

• identify - and involve workers in assessing - workplace risks
• assess and consider employees' needs when planning and organising work
• provide advice, information and training to employees, as well as mechanisms for employee feedback such as a suggestion scheme
• regularly monitor and record employees' health

Some elements of occupational health are good practice, while others - such as the need to conduct a wide-ranging assessment of health and safety risks - are legally required. For futher information, see our guide on risk assessment - an overview.

However, remember that you have a legal duty of care to your employees. This means you have a legal responsibility for all health and safety issues at work even those which are not covered by specific laws. You must assess all risks to employees' health and safety and take steps to control these risks.

You can explore an occupational health best-practice database on the Securing Health Together website.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Promoting occupational health
• Key occupational health issues
• Manage occupational health
• Concerns in different industries
• Risks in the workplace

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