Ditto to everyone else's view.
OH has made enormous progress in moving from what was perceived as a "tea
and sympathy", to being in many places a service that is proactive, dynamic
and recognised as an integral part of the corporate success.
I would suggest that perhaps this company does not really understand what OH
could potentially achieve for them. Perhaps it would be worth assessing
their expectations?
I have experienced services where a uniform is worn. Funnily enough my
professional placement for my OH degree (not that many years ago) was at
such a company. When challenged though no one could really explain why
uniforms were worn, the usual "well we have always done it this way" was
given. Doing environmental monitoring or site visits to the manufacturing
line in a white nurses tunic was far from ideal ..... it gave some of the
workers a good laugh though!
I have recently finished a post within a civil service organisation. In it
I managed a practice nurse service. Historically the practice nurse (called
Nursing Sister before I arrived) always wore a sisters uniform. When we
moved away from this, with the post holder wearing a suit instead of a
uniform, many people felt that there would be much resistance. Infact many
people welcomed the change and the most of the others didn't even notice!
Best of luck ..........
Stu.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anne Harriss" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 9:40 PM
Subject: Re: Uniforms
> I am in total agreement with Chris. Why is a nurse's uniform required? A
> uniform does not indicate competence and is both totally impractical and
> inappropriate on the "shop floor". I don't know of any organisation who
> still expect their OHN(s) to wear such a uniform. In my opinion this
> reinforces a treatment service to be offered by the nurse and the "sick
> role" to be taken on by the employee.
>
> The term authoritarian also rings very loud warning bells. It is my
> suspicion that this organisation have a problem with non-attendance and
they
> want "the nurse" to use their magic fob watch to make it go away!!!! I
would
> be very cautious about working with an organisation with this sort of
> attitude.
> Anne Harriss
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chris Packham" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2002 9:23 PM
> Subject: Re: Uniforms
>
>
> > I always worry when I hear this type of approach. It tends to suggest
that
> > they see the OHN as some form of glorified first-aider. It was not so
long
> > ago that a manager said to me: "Oh! We don't have a real nurse any
more."
> > Knowing that the new nurse was highly qualified in occupational health,
I
> > asked him what he meant. His response was: "Well, the old one wore a
> > uniform". As far as "recognition" I have yet to meet a good OHN who has
> > problems with recognition, merely because they are not wearing a
uniform.
> In
> > fact, my view would be that the uniform can act as a barrier between
> worker
> > and nurse, since it implies formality, whereas a more informal approach
> > always produces better relationships and hence will be more effective.
> >
> > I also worry about the "authoritarian" bit. Sounds as if they have
> problems
> > and are asking you to be the unfortunate individual to try to solve them
> for
> > you and take the flak!!!
> >
> > I think you need to ensure that your terms of reference, scope of
activity
> > and limits of authority are very clearly defined.
> >
> > Regards
> > Chris Packham
> >
> > EnviroDerm Services
> > 2 Amery Lodge Farm, North Littleton, Evesham, WR11 8QY
> > Tel: +44 (0)1386 832 311
> > Fax: +44 (0)1386 830 163
> >
> > Visit our website - www.enviroderm.co.uk - to download our Technical
> > Bulletins free of charge and to see what's new in occupational skin
> > management!
> >
> >
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