...it's also worth considering that intervention is not necessarily required just because of injury - people also fall ill at work, especially if the population is an old one.
My view is to emphasise the importance of first aiders and their contribution. Well motivated, enthusiastically supported and sufficiently educated they can and should be able to provide sufficient treatment and management. The OHA can facilitate this.
The other issue is that if too much reliance on treatment is thrust upon the OH function, then the company will develop a two-tier service i.e. when the OH Dept is empty (weekends, holidays, conferences, sickness, etc.) then the workforce will necessarily have to resort to the first aiders. This is manifestly wrong. The first aiders, if appropriately trained, can do their job and preserve life, prevent worsening and promote health whilst waiting for the cavalry to arrive (ambulance and firefighters).
A bit off-line this, but why are they called firefighters? I mean anything involving the word 'fight' suggests random and uncontrolled aggression. I'm not suggesting they're called fire extinguishers, or Trumpton - it's just they are there to control and manage fire and this is only a small part of their brief. They're far more versatile, knowledgeable, gutsy and disciplined that the term 'firefighter' conveys.
Anyway, have a good weekend everyone!
Phil
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 20:42:56 +0100
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Treatment debate
To: [log in to unmask]
Thelma, I understand that 'frequent intervention' should send some alarm bells but some jobs have inherent risks that even with the best risk management/control measures in place injuries will happen. The police/fire fighters/construction workers/heavy engineering/farm working etc. Some jobs have to be done even if you cannot eliminate all the risks. Kate
From: Thelma Jameson <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, 27 September 2013, 11:04
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Treatment debate
I agree with providing first service but it is my berif that prevention is better than cure. If people are getting accidents at work needing frequent intervention something is wrong somewhere.
Thelma
On 26 Sep 2013 21:43, "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Exactly, Paula, its about what is best for service users – an extensive treatment service is not the best for service users.
I would prefer that someone I care about did not sustain a work related illness/injury rather than them having access to a wonderful workplace treatment service. In fact, the existence of such a treatment service would suggest that the employer provided it because it was needed and was well used – a big hint that the chance of injuries in that workplace is high ..... Would I want to work there – No!
Anne
On 26/09/2013 21:09, "Paula Highton" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
So here’s the question then… Is this debate really about what’s best for our service users or is it about how the Occupational Health professional wishes to be perceived?
Paula
This email message has been delivered safely and archived online by Mimecast.
For more information please visit http://www.mimecast.com/
******************************** Please remove this footer before replying.
OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html
CONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH
********************************
Please remove this footer before replying.
OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html
CONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH
********************************
Please remove this footer before replying.
OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html
CONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH
********************************
Please remove this footer before replying.
OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html
CONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH
********************************
Please remove this footer before replying.
OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html
CONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH
