What is Occupational Health?
The Occupational Health Industry exists today to help both employers and employees to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. In 1970, the United States Congress and President Richard Nixon created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a national public health agency dedicated to the basic proposition that no worker should have to choose between their life and their job. Passed with bipartisan support, the creation of OSHA was a historic moment of cooperative national reform. The OSHA law makes it clear that the right to a safe workplace is a basic human right.
The medical discipline of Occupational Health helps accommodate injured workers and their employers. The World Health Organization defines Occupational Health as “an area of work in public health to promote and maintain the highest degrees of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations.”
Robert Koogler, MD, MPH, is the Medical Director for St. Margaret’s Occupational Health Clinic at Midtown Health Center in Peru. Dr. Koogler states that some of the more common injuries seen at the clinic are low back injury, shoulder injury, sprained ankle, laceration and needle sticks. His assertion is in line with the national statistics. The NSC reports that the top three leading causes of work-related injuries account for more than 84% of all national injuries involving days away from work. These top three are:
- Overexertion and bodily reaction – those resulting from excessive physical effort and also repetitive motion
- Slips, trips and falls.
- Contact with objects and equipment
The rest of the most common reported injuries are transportation incidents, violence and other injuries by persons or animals, exposure to harmful substances or environments, non-classifiable, fire and explosions.
Creating a Healthier, More Productive Workplace
St. Margaret’s Occupational Health Clinic provides a comprehensive program offering companies cost-effective, efficient, well-managed and quality health care to employees and employers. Occupational Health is unique in that its providers only treat work-related issues, which ensures timely and convenient care for employees, as well. Some of the services offered at our Occupational Health Center, include:
- Occupational Health Screens – annual and periodic screenings, alcohol/drug screens, audiometric hearing evaluations, pulmonary function assessments, respirator fit testing, case management, etc.
- Physical Examinations – walk-in physicals, pre-employment exams, Department of Transportation physicals, return-to-work physicals, etc.
- Injury Care – new injury treatment and follow-up care, 24-hour medical triage, specialist referrals, physical therapy/ancillary/rehabilitation services, etc.
- Employee Wellness Programs – immunization, safety programs, ergonomic evaluations, health fairs and screenings, etc.
Employee Safety Does Not Fall Squarely on Employers
Employee diligence is crucial, as well. “Workplace injuries, just like injuries at home, can increase from fatigue,” Dr. Koogler warns. “While some workplace injuries may be decreased by safety training, it is perhaps more important that workers get plenty of sleep and minimize alcohol intake before a period of work.
Recent times have reminded everyone more about personal responsibility for the health and safety of yourself and others. That overall mentality needs to continue as more and more individuals enter the workforce in the future. However, St. Margaret’s Occupational Health Clinics are here for employers and employees when help is needed or accidents occur.
