1. Introduction to Work as an
Occupational Health Technician
jane.coombs@working-well-solutions.com

2. Objectives of session
• By the end of the session should be able to:
• Name 2 pieces of legislation which specifically aim to protect health
• Define the term Occupational Health
• List 4 types of work related ill health
• Why does this organisation need OH? Give three reasons
• Outline the basic steps of Universal Hygiene measures
• List two ways you can a) protect yourself and b) protect the client in the
course of your work

3. Session outline
• What is Occupational Health
• Why have OH
• Who are our customers
• The types health monitoring
• The team and technicians role
• Protecting yourself and clients
• Other knowledge and skills
• Assessment.

4. What is Occupational Health
Absence
Management
Health
Checks
Risk
Assessment
COSHH First aid
Management of H&S at work
Noise Regulations
Stress Manual handling
Skin Diseases, Hand Arm Vibration
Syndrome (HAVS), Noise Induced
Hearing Loss (NIHL),Musculoskeletal
Disorders, Occupational Lung
Diseases, fitness for task
Long
term/short
term absence
Health
related poor
performance
Ill-health
retirement

5. Health Promotion
• Nutrition
• Physical Activity
• Sleep
• Stress
• Drugs and Alcohol
Records/Information
• Confidentiality
• Record keeping
• Data protection

6. Why Have Occupational Health
HSE/industry
requirements
& guidelines
Risk assessment &
health surveillance,
screening
Employment
law
Equality
Act
Litigation
reduce risk

7. Types of Health Monitoring
• Pre-placement
• Health Surveillance:
‘Any activity which involves obtaining information about
employees health and which assists in protecting that employee
from health risks at work’
• Fitness for role
• Health Screening:
• a major public health activity which aims to detect disease before
symptoms appear e.g. urine testing can detect diabetes (not
work related ill health)

8. Clinical Considerations expand
roles of others
• Doctors
• Set policy, direction of service
• Required by legislation eg Nightworkers, Asbestos, Lead, Ionising Radiation,
Railways
• Specific eg Ill health retirement decisions, complex cases, litigation, dismissal
due to ill health
• Advisers
• Management referrals, absence, Equality , workplace assessments, fitness for
work
• Practice Nurses
• Health surveillance and screening
• Health promotion
• Different levels of practitioners and responsibilities

9. What OH Technicians do not do
• Give advice on general health
• Make decisions on fitness for role
• Discuss abnormal findings in detail
• Discuss employee’s health with other staff or Management without
referral to OHA/P
• Change procedure to fit an individual

10. Specifically for Technician
• Lung function testing
• Screening health questionnaires
• Hearing tests
• Blood pressure measuring
• Height weight and body mass index
• Vision testing
• Hand Arm Vibration
• Urinalysis
• Drug and Alcohol
• Display Screen Equipment
• Health promotion
• Food handler

11. Protect yourself
• Infection control procedures
• Thorough training
• Dealing with anger and aggression
• Feeling confident
• Knowing when to refer to others
• Support
• Feeling well
• Understanding the reasons why you are doing tests
• Time management
• Full and accurate records of assessments

12. Universal Precaution Measures
• Regular hand washing
• Gloves
• Plastic aprons
• Correct clothing for environment
• Ensuring all clinical waste is disposed of properly
• Ensuring that all equipment is clean and free from infection

13. Protecting your Clients/Patients
• Introductions/greetings
• Correct equipment for the task
• Correctly calibrated equipment
• Training on use of PPE (if required and trained)
• Adherence to procedures
• Understanding your role and customer expectations
• Follow up/referral

14. Other knowledge and skills
required
• Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology specific to
activity
• An up to date job description
• Access to the policy and procedures as required
• Competent to perform all procedures as defined by job role
e.g. audiometry and spirometry training
• Familiarisation of equipment to be used
• Familiarisation with relevant documentation
• Named clinical support in case of problems arising

15. Assessment
• Short theoretical assessment - no more than 15 minutes
• 8 questions for each assessment - covered in session content
• Successful completion - certificate of attendance issued.

16. Next steps
• Issue workbook by professional supervisor
• Anatomy and physiology training as required
• Formal training on equipment
• Observation
• Supervised practise
• Sign off
• Start Technician duties