Occupational health services (OHS): What good OH looks like for employers

20 January 2026 - 21 January 2026

Introduction

An important part of managing workers includes considering any existing or developing health conditions that they may experience while at work. Using a good Occupational Health Service (OHS) can help prevent work-related ill health and support employees whose medical conditions may impact their ability to do their job.

Health and safety legislation requires employers to ensure that work does not adversely affect employee's health, and there are things they must do to make sure that workers are medically fit to carry out their work safely. A good OHS will help you with this, keeping your employees healthy and safe whilst in work and helping you manage any risks in the workplace that are likely to give rise to work-related ill health.

This two-day course provides an overview of these duties and provides guidance on how employers can effectively prioritise and utilise occupational health services to support a healthy and productive workforce.

Learning outcomes

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

• Know how to identify and prioritise their organisation's occupational health (OH) requirements
• Identify what specifically needs to be agreed and included in the contract with the occupational health service, including OH competence, confidentiality, communication and records management
• Know what standards and competencies to expect from the occupational health service
• Understand the range of occupational health activities and how they can help you and your employees

What the course will cover

The course will cover the OH commissioning process - including the expected competencies of OH staff, essential communication pathways, medical confidentiality and what needs to be included in your contract with the OHS.

Delegates will learn about the practical aspects of getting your occupational health service up and running and the subsequent delivery and monitoring the occupational health services

The course will explore examples where using Occupational Health is essential e.g. :

• Undertaking statutory health surveillance programmes
• Use of Appointed Doctors such as when working with lead or ionising radiation
• Provision of health specific information, instruction, and training
• Job specific fit for work (FFW) health checks, for example fork lift truck driver assessment
• Management of work-related ill health cases including rehabilitation

Additionally, delegates will look at scenarios where OH input is helpful:

• Undertaking site inspections, reviewing workplace control measures
• Review of risk assessments, individual risk assessments, help writing policies such as prevention of work-related stress,
• Activities including consultation with workers

The course also looks at areas where OH can support employers, such as with sickness absence (attendance) management, health promotion and well-being interventions, provision or facilitation of counselling services.

There will be the opportunity to review a range of OH contracts and delegates are invited to bring their own current OH contract to review if desired.

Who should attend?

Those responsible for contracting and using occupational health services in the workplace.

Please note that this course is not intended for those providing OH services. Instead, they should consider attending our one-day OHS: Giving your customers what they need 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

£910 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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