Occupational health services (OHS): Giving your customer what they need

22 January 2026

Introduction

There is a range of legislation designed to protect workers from work-related injury and ill health. Employers should also consider taking positive action to promote employee wellbeing.

As part of managing their workforce, there may be complex, work-related health issues to manage and at some point, employers may need to seek assistance from occupational health (OH) professionals, who themselves have duties under health and safety legislation.

The role of OH professionals, and how their services support employers, is important and can vary depending on the industry sector and the nature of work activities undertaken. Their involvement should be consistent and aligned with agreed standards. Many employers require support in clarifying and prioritising what OH input is needed, when it is needed, how much is required, and for whom.

This one-day course aims to provide information and guidance to those delivering OH services, enabling them to demonstrate leadership when assisting customers in identifying their risk-based and prioritised occupational health service. The ultimate objective is to help customers be knowledgeable and informed users of occupational health services.

Learning outcomes

Delegates will be provided with information that will help them to:

• Undertake an OH needs assessment based on risk and legislation, in order to determine a client's requirements
• Identify what needs to be discussed and agreed in a contract for occupational health services with a client and what to deliver in terms of competency and supervision of OH staff
• Know what a prioritised and risk based occupational health service looks like
• Explain the contents of a statutory health surveillance programme and how to give clients advice on integrating OH into their health and safety management system
• Identify the feedback and information  that should be provided to clients, and how to remain compliant with relevant legislation
• Recognise what is required when subcontracting work to third parties to help deliver the Occupational Health Service (OHS)

What the course will cover

Delegates will learn how to assess occupational health needs of an organisation, including what elements need to be included when being commissioned to provide risk based OH services, including the qualifications and skills of those providing the services.

The course will make clear the OHS responsibilities when providing a statutory health surveillance programme and how it can be integrated into their customer's health and safety management system. It is designed to help OHS providers know how to make sure their client understands what management action is required to ensure their clients get the best out of the OHS whilst maintaining the organisation's compliance with relevant legislation. The course will cover the feedback and information the OHS provides to their client, whilst complying with GDPR and other legislation. The course also covers what is required when they subcontract work to third parties to help deliver the OHS.

Who should attend?

Any OH practitioner or service provider who plans and delivers occupational health services to clients and organisations.

Please note that this course is not intended for employers commissioning OH services. Instead, they should consider attending our two-day What good OH looks like for employers course.

Venue

The course will be run at the HSE Science and Research Centre in the spa town of Buxton.

Buxton is in the heart of the Peak District and has good links to major roads and motorways, mainline train stations and Manchester International Airport.

Details of hotels in the Buxton area can be found at www.visitbuxton.co.uk

Price

£580 per person (includes course notes, lunch and refreshments).

Book Course

Please note that all courses must be paid for via credit card at the time of booking.

Some of our training courses can also be delivered in-company, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Email: HSEtraining@hse.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)203 028 3704

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