Occupational health and welfare: an overview

Promoting occupational health

Tackling occupational health in your workplace could involve looking at issues such as:

• stress
• repetitive strain injury
• backpain
• smoking, drug and alcohol use
• bullying and harassment

Occupational health issues include those that derive from long-term exposure to risks, such as asbestos, as well as those that derive from immediate injury and disease. They cover psychological and social issues too, such as violence and bullying.

You can read about common occupational health issues on the Safe and Healthy Working website.

Occupational health concerns aren't an optional extra - all employers have a legal duty of care to their employees. In addition, taking occupational health seriously can bring a range of business benefits:

• lower absenteeism - for further information, see our guide on how to manage absence and sickness
• improved relationships with customers and suppliers
• improved productivity
• reduced staff turnover

Overall, it can cut your business' costs and improve its performance.

For more information on your wider health and safety duties, see our guide on your responsibilities for health, safety and the environment.

Subjects covered in this guide

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

 Print This Page

Source - Business Link; Crown Copyright.