Overview Assessment of the workplace is central to the practice of occupational medicine ‘Risk assessment’ involves identifying hazards and gauging the likelihood of harm, so as to plan risk control…

Overview The law is not a simple set of rules; judgement is required against a background of understanding Understanding the legal duties on the employer will ensure that occupational health…

Overview Humans are diverse—one size does not fit all Ergonomics and human factors aim to design both work and the workplace to fit the user Taking an ergonomic approach involves…

Overview As a result of social and legal developments the process of determining fitness for work has become increasingly important Guidance on the medical aspects of fitness for work is…

Overview Mental health problems are common. At any time, around one in six working age individuals will suffer from symptoms suggestive of a psychiatric disorder. Mental ill health is now…

Overview The common feature of these conditions is uncertainty The commonest uncertainty concerns possible causality Uncertainty often extends to both susceptibility and treatment Psychosomatic concepts are often relevant but are…

Overview The overwhelming majority of occupational skin disorders are dermatitic It is a major error to rely solely on the pattern of hand dermatitis when considering a diagnosis Understanding the…

Overview Musculoskeletal symptoms are very common, with lifetime prevalence rates of 75% or more for problems such as low back pain. Causes are frequently assumed, but are actually unpredictable and…

Overview The relationship between health, work and wellbeing is complex and best understood using a biopsychosocial approach There are several different models of occupational health service delivery An assessment of…

Overview Occupational infections can be easy to miss unless there is a high index of suspicion A detailed occupational history combined with knowledge of infectious diseases will often reveal the…