Occupational safety and health and return-to-work

OSH Professional

4: Return to work

Occupational safety and health and return-to-work

Each specific situation should be handled differently and the health and safety measures that will need to be implemented can vary greatly. The worker might need Medical rehabilitation aims at restoring the functional or mental ability and quality of life of people with physical or mental impairments or disabilities. (e.g. physiotherapy), Vocational (or occupational) rehabilitation aims at enabling people with physical or mental impairments or disabilities to overcome barriers to accessing, maintaining or returning to employment or another useful occupation. (e.g. training to learn new skills if he/she cannot do the same job as before) or workplace adaptations based on assessment of physical load, or a change in working hours to reduce fatigue, or the need to travel at peak times.

The role of

Risk assessment is a step in the OSH risk management process that allows identifying potential risks and hazards that workers may be exposed to and deciding on protective and preventive measures that are necessary to be implemented. It is a dynamic process that allows organisations to put in place a proactive policy for managing occupational risks. (Source)

OSH professionals can support a successful Return-to-work is a concept encompassing all procedures and initiatives aiming at facilitating the workplace reintegration of persons who experience a reduction in work capacity or capability, whether due to invalidity, illness or ageing. process by conducting risk assessments when workers return to work after sickness or injury, or have health conditions that could affect or be affected by their work. Examples of issues that have to be considered in the

Risk assessment is a step in the OSH risk management process that allows identifying potential risks and hazards that workers may be exposed to and deciding on protective and preventive measures that are necessary to be implemented. It is a dynamic process that allows organisations to put in place a proactive policy for managing occupational risks. (Source)

are:
  • Would continuing in the same job compromise the worker’s health further (e.g. work load, shift work)?
  • Has the worker’s ability to carry out the job safely and effectively been affected by the illness or injury (e.g. working at height may be restricted if there is a risk of the worker becoming dizzy or losing consciousness)?
  • Is the worker involved in a continuing treatment plan?  
  • Are there any potential effects as a result of medication that the worker is taking?

Workplace adaptations

Arrangements can be put in place on a temporary basis while the person recovers. If the injury or illness results in permanent restriction, the arrangements and workplace adaptations may be considered on a long term basis, taking into account the loss of

Work ability can be described as the balance between the resources of the individual and work related factors. Work ability is also influenced by the environment outside of work. Personal resources include the following elements: (1) health and functional capacities; (2) competences and skills; (3) values, attitudes and motivation. Work related factors comprise work content, work environment, work organisation and leadership. (Source)

.

Examples of workplace changes include:

  • Adaptations of the workstation (e.g. recalibrating equipment to improve safety, or improving accessibility to the premises);
  • More

    Flexible work enables both individual and organisation needs to be met through making changes to the time (when), location (where) and manner (how) in which an employee works. (Source)

    schedules (e.g. for attending treatments or medical appointments); or
  • Reduced workloads (e.g. providing alternative work).

Elements of successful return-to-work (HR module)

Examples of good practices