As an employer, your staff are the most important asset to your business. Keeping them safe and healthy not only improves morale and relationships between staff and employer, but increases productivity and ensures that staff are getting the best treatment at work.

Occupational health is a brand of medicine and health surveillance that focuses on the mental and physical wellbeing of employees and whether they are safe to return or remain in the work environment. Not only do they assess illnesses that have happened outside of work, but they also monitor whether safe working practices are being implemented, the overall healthcare at the workforces and support the management of sickness absence.

They also support health promotion, education programmes, and suggest adjustments to working conditions.

Having an occupational health service at your workplace means that your staff have direct contact when any issues occur with their health. Healthcare professionals can perform a range of different assessments and services, including:

• ‘Fit for Work assessments’: these are performed to ensure that the employee is physically able to perform the tasks they are employed to do. It helps employers know what changes or adjustments they need to make to allow their staff member to perform their tasks optimally.
• Pre-employment assessments: this is performed to see whether an employee is physically able to carry out the tasks required of them. It is requested by an employer after the job has been offered. The specifics all depend on the job role.
• Mental health assessments: These assessments give employees the opportunity to disclose past mental health issues if they wish. They can also discuss any issues at work that are impacting their mental health. They are the key to promoting positive mental wellbeing in the workplace.

If you work in a particularly noisy environment, your hearing can become severely damaged over the years. By allowing an occupational healthcare service to administer audiometry tests on your staff can allow you to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that their hearing is intact.

Here at EMAAR OHS, we can provide audiometry tests to your staff to ensure that their hearing hasn’t been affected by their job, and if it has, we can recommend suitable changes that can be put in place to help ensure the health and safety of your staff.

The Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (Health and Safety Executive) have laid out a comprehensive framework for the noise that should be administered at work. Assessments come in stages and include:

STAGE 1: Audiometric Health Assessment

Before the hearing test can begin the employee needs to answer using the audiometry questionnaire a history must be taken prior to the test.

STAGE 2: Otoscopic Examination of the Ear

Examination of the ear is an important part of the audiometry and provides some basic information on the health of the ear before the test can begin.

STAGE 3: Audiometric Health Surveillance

The hearing test is the main component of the audiometry process. This consists of the employee wearing a set of headphones and a series of sounds being played to them. The sounds vary in pitch and volume and aim to determine what level of hearing the employee has.

STAGE 4: Review of Audiometric Results

Results are examined and categorised according to the scheme in the noise at work regulations.

STAGE 5: Employer’s Audiometric Report

If you work in an environment in which you may be inhaling harsh, damaging chemicals, it could be worth undergoing a spirometry test. These particular assessment determine whether someone has a particular lung condition, such as:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Obstructive airways disease
• Fibrosis
• Emphysema

It can also be used to determine the severity of these conditions and how they’re responding to treatment.

Common jobs where you may be required to take a spirometry test include:

• Mechanics
• Bakers
• Hairdressers
• Cleaning services – Domestic engineers
• Electricians, Maintenance engineers
• Welders

Here at EMAAR OHS, we would be able to carry out spirometry tests and inform you of changes that need to be made in your workplace. The safety of your staff is EMAAR, therefore they deserve the most reliable and effective care possible. At our health surveillance tests, we will also be able to analyse the general health of your staff through a health questionnaire. Breathing difficulties can also be down to lifestyle choices such as smoking, so it’s important to be aware of facts like these.

We will work with human Resources and managers to manage the return to work of your employees who are off sick through contact with employees and their manager, make recommendations regarding rehabilitation, and liaise with employees’ GP’s and medical consultants as necessary.

Pre-employment assessments, or ‘fit for work’ assessments, are tests undertaken by a healthcare professional to ensure that the employee is fit to carry out the tasks that they are employed to do. This test whether their own or someone else’s health and safety would be at risk should they commit to the job.

Adjustments may need to be made in certain cases, such as changes to the environment or equipment. Here at EMAAR OHS, we can assess new employees to ensure that their health is on par with the job requirements, and we can advise on any changes that need to be made to your workplace.

There are certain professions that, under the Codes of Practice, require pre-employment screening. These include:

• Health care professionals
• Drivers and pilots
• Workers at heights
• Safety-critical workers
• Emergency service staff, such as firefighters, police officers and ambulance staff

If you have an ongoing medical condition or were recently affected by an injury, it’s important that you visit your occupational healthcare professional for regular check-ups. Health surveillance may also be required by law for employees who work in dangerous environments, such as jobs with exposure to radiation, fumes, solvents and other hazardous substances.

Occupational health services carry out EMAAR health surveillance for a number of important, critical reasons. Our staff here at EMAAR OHS can help detect causes of ill-health at an early stage, so employers can make appropriate changes. Our surveillance also enables employees to raise any concerns they may have concerning lapses in workplace control measures. 

Not only does health surveillance keep an eye on the safety of your staff, but can help identify what measures need to be taken within the workplace. If certain illnesses or errors are detected, employers should act quickly to avoid accidents, further ill health or injuries. When operating health surveillance, try to avoid blanket coverage when making changes.

Here at EMAAR OHS, we can carry out necessary health surveillance and can help put protocols in place to help protect you whilst you’re at work. By having an occupational health service at your workplace, you can help improve overall workplace health and can help increase productivity. To enquire further about our services, please contact us here.  

For employees who work in constant exposure to high-risk diseases, it’s important that they get regular vaccines to help protect themselves and those around them. These vaccinations should be arranged and funded by your employer by outsourcing or hiring an occupational health service, like us here at EMAAR OHS.

Jobs that need regular vaccinations include:

• Healthcare staff, such as nurses, carers and doctors 
• Laboratory staff
• Veterinarians
• Prison workers

There are a number of vaccines that can be offered, including:

• Hepatitis A and B
• MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
• TB
• Flu
• Polio, tetanus and diphtheria

If your job requires you to travel, and you need special kinds of vaccinations and shots, EMAAR OHS can provide you with the relevant treatment needed to ensure that you’re safe enough to travel. 

Here at EMAAR OHS, we can administer all the vaccines listed above, plus many more. By having an occupational health service at your workplace, you can help improve overall workplace health and can help increase productivity. To enquire further about our services, please contact us here.

If your job requires you to be on the road, then you may need to undergo a drivers medical assessment. This is to ensure that you’re in a position to operate the vehicle you’re employed to drive, and there’s nothing affecting your ability to carry out your job effectively.

Here at EMAAR OHS, we are able to carry out reliable drivers medical assessments to ensure the health and safety of drivers and others on the road. We can give feedback of results to employers and can raise any concerns we may have about an employee’s welfare. At the assessment, employees have the opportunity to tell us if they feel fit enough to drive, and all existing medical issues will be considered.

Assessments of drivers’ fitness include:

• eyesight test,
• blood pressure check,
• hearing test
• height & weight check

We also stress the importance of taking regular breaks if driving for long periods of time and can advise drivers on how to rest safely whilst on the road. We can also layout a procedure for drivers to follow to look after their physical and mental health whilst working. Any drivers currently suffering from medical conditions that might affect their driving. 

Many employers use drug and alcohol testing in the workplace as a measure to improve safety. It has been shown in recent studies and papers released by the Department of Health and various other government departments showing the detrimental effects Drugs and Alcohol can have in the workplace. Not only are drug and alcohol-related problems responsible for millions of lost work days per year, they are also involved in over 50% of all fatal work-related accidents.

EMAAR OHS will be able to   provide onsite testing, with rapid results. We will work in partnership with management and employees; alongside your drug and alcohol testing policy.

Drug Testing

This drug test is INSTANT, sampling for six drugs in just 5 minutes.

• Cocaine
• Cannabis
• Benzodiazepines
• Opiates
• Amphetamines
• Methamphetamines

Occupational health vaccinations available

• Covid 19 Risk assessment
• Pre–employment screening. Pre–employment screening refers to the process of investigating the backgrounds of potential employees and is commonly used to verify the accuracy of an applicant’s claims as well as to discover any possible criminal history, workers compensation claims, or employer sanctions.
• Immunisation

As part of an overall health screening and surveillance, occupational healthcare services can carry out particular tests and assessments, such as cholesterol screening. Here at EMAAR OHS, we can check your employee’s cholesterol levels with a quick and easy blood test. It’s handy to carry out a cholesterol check every now and again at your workplace to improve the health and safety of your employee’s.

Your body needs cholesterol to make hormones, digestive fluids and vitamin D. However, having too much can cause severe health problems, such as heart disease and possibly strokes. Detecting high cholesterol early can enable your employees to make changes to their lifestyle, and you can even put certain protocols in place to help lower their levels and improve their health.

Here at EMAAR OHS, we can help identify and offer advice for high cholesterol levels and can help put protocols in place to help protect you whilst you’re at work. By having an occupational health service at your workplace, you can help improve overall workplace health and can help increase productivity. To enquire further about our cholesterol screening services, please contact us here.

If you leave work for a health reason, whatever it may be, you might need easing back into work for your own peace of mind and recovery. Your employer should have a procedure to follow when welcoming you back to work, including filling them in on what they missed, making adjustments and asking if they need support. They also need to ask for advice from the employee’s doctor. Putting together these plans can be confusing and stressful. Luckily, we’re here to help.

EMAAR OHS are able to identify exactly what the employee needs from their return to work, and we are able to advise on what changes need to be made in order to make them as comfortable as possible. We can recommend whether the employee needs a phased return to work, and we can liaise between employer and employee to see what areas need improvement. 

Occupational healthcare services are there to provide support to both employer and employee during these times, and we here at EMAAR OHS can help make things a little easier. We can draft up a plan that both can refer to and follow, as well as holding regular check-ups with the employee to see how they’re getting along.

Here at EMAAR OHS, we can help your return to work run smoothly and can help put protocols in place to help protect you whilst you’re at work. By having an occupational health service at your workplace, you can help improve overall workplace health and can help increase productivity. To enquire further about our services, please contact us here.

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is the media term for symptoms or damage caused by operating vibrating machinery. Damage can occur in the fingers, hands or arms. Vibration injuries can be distinguished into three separate disorders, such as neurological, vascular, and musculoskeletal.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Tingling and numbness in the hands and fingers
• Bad circulation
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• White finger (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
• General aches and pains

Different tools and equipment that can cause HAVS include:

• Chainsaws
• Impulse Tools
• Ratchet Screwdrivers
• Concrete Breakers
• Jigsaws
• Pedestal Grinders
• Brush/Weed Cutters

Ergonomics applies to the change and adaptation of a workplace to fit a worker’s physical needs. For instance, changing the height of an office desk to improve efficiency, productivity and increase comfort. Improving the day-to-day life of your workforce can not only improve their physical health but can make them much more productive and improve their mental wellness.

Here at EMAAR OHS, we know ergonomics and can help you improve and prevent common workplace injuries. By making suitable adjustments to improve issues such as posture and joint strain can benefit you and your workforce in both the long and short term. In a more technologically advanced society, more and more workers are sitting at desks and working from computers. INstalling equipment and software that improves ailments caused by jobs such as this can improve the health of your workforce significantly.

By providing you with the relevant, effective advice on how to improve workplace ergonomics, EMAAR OHS can offer advice on how you can give your staff a helping hand in their working life. 

Here at EMAAR OHS, we can help you adjust and improve your ergonomics and can help put protocols in place to help protect your staff whilst you’re at work. By having an occupational health service at your workplace, you can help improve overall workplace health and can help increase productivity. To enquire further about our services, please contact us here.

EMAAR OHS provides lifestyle and wellbeing services to help increase the productivity of your workforce and staff retention. These programmes are designed to encourage employees to lead healthier lifestyles by, for example, helping them to:

• Manage stress
• Eat healthily
• Monitor their blood pressure, Body Mass Index, Cholesterol and Glucose (blood sugar)