Occupational Health Awareness Week (OHAW) begins on Monday 23 September with the aim to raise awareness of occupational health (OH) and explain the value it provides.
The week is facilitated by the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM), whose research shows that OH is the most effective method for managing employee long-term absence from work.
The most common workplace health problems are mental health and musculoskeletal-related conditions. In 2021/20221 work-related stress, depression, or anxiety made-up half of all working days lost due to work-related ill health. In 2023, 6.6 million working days were lost because of work-related musculoskeletal conditions2.
OH professionals develop solutions alongside staff and employers to prevent harm in the first place, and enable those with ill health to continue working, with adaptations if necessary. OH helps people with disabilities and long-term conditions stay in work and increase productivity across the workforce.
Nick Pahl, Chief Executive at SOM, said: “Occupational health supports individuals to maintain and protect their wellbeing, as well as preventing ill health and injury. With a record-number of people leaving the workforce because of sickness, we should prioritise interventions and evidence-based support so that more people can stay in, or return to, work.
“We know that well-integrated workplace health initiatives are associated with improved employee health and productivity in the workplace. Not only that, but it saves businesses money that they could be spending on other initiatives. A report published by SOM in 2022 found that a £1 investment in OH leads to a £1.93 saving in absenteeism costs, or a £2.35 saving in medical costs3. Investing in OH really is an obvious choice.”
SOM and other healthcare partners will be sharing more information throughout the week about why OH matters and how to get the most out of services offered by OH professionals.
Businesses and the public are encouraged to learn more about OH and the benefit it can bring to employees’ wellbeing and companies’ financial health. Follow along with #OHAW2024 on social media.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Health and Safety Executive. Work-Related Stress, Anxiety or Depression Statistics in Great Britain, 2022.; 2022. https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/stress.pdf
- Work-related musculoskeletal disorders statistics in Great Britain, 2023 (hse.gov.uk)
- pdf (som.org.uk)
What is occupational health (OH)?
OH professionals (including doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals) maintain the health and wellbeing of employees and facilitate return to work if they are off sick.
The most common workplace health problems are mental health and musculoskeletal. OH professionals collaborate with staff and employers to develop solutions that enable staff with health issues to continue working, with adaptations and reasonable adjustments if necessary.
OH interventions have been shown to help people with disabilities and long-term conditions stay in work and increase productivity across the workforce.
About SOM
The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) is for all healthcare professionals working in or with an interest in occupational health (OH). It is concerned with the protection of the health of people in the workplace and the prevention of occupational injuries and disease. The SOM stimulates interest and research in OH and works with government, the healthcare community, health charities and other bodies to promote a healthier workforce. It acts as the voice of OH, responding to consultative documents and media enquiries. A national leader in providing continued professional development and education for all working in OH, it is a forum for the exchange of ideas, and best practice. Visit www.som.org.uk for more information.
SOM Corporate Supporters for 2024 can be viewed at https://www.som.org.uk/corporate-supporter.
About OHAW 2024
Occupational Health Awareness Week (OHAW) explains what occupational health is, and the value it provides to workplace health and to businesses.
The week is facilitated by the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM). OHAW 2024 runs from Monday 23 to Sunday 29 September 2024. During the week SOM is hosting a careers fair and launching a new report on choosing wellbeing at work products and services.