Scenario 1

Issue to Address
An engineering company wanted to introduce best practice and offer all their Fork Lift Truck drivers health screening to ensure that they were fit to undertake this role.  The employer was aware that this was something new to offer their employees so Clare Haddow Occupational Health Specialists (CHOHS Ltd) was asked to discuss what would be involved in the FLT screening with the employees.

Action Taken
During the meeting CHOHS Ltd explained that it was not a legal duty to offer health assessments, but it was considered best practice, as advised in the safety in working with Lift Trucks HSG6.  Consequently, the FLT assessments took place on their site.

Results
The employees welcomed the opportunity to have a health screen, so that they could proactively manage their health, and the engineering company was able to know that their employees were fit to undertake the tasks that they were employed to do.

Scenario 2

Issue to Address
A Manager was off sick with depression and anxiety whilst being treated by his doctor.

Action Taken
CHOHS Ltd carried out a home visit where the employee was assessed and consent was obtained to write to his GP.  CHOHS Ltd felt that he needed psychiatric support and with the assistance of his doctor he was successfully treated as an in-patient.  CHOHS Ltd continued to offer occupational health support and when he was fit enough, arranged a meeting with his employer on site to discuss a suitable rehabilitation programme.

Results
The employee returned to work and, with support, he managed well.  He has not required further OH support after his first 3 months back at work.

Scenario 3

Issue to Address
A care home company approached CHOHS Ltd as it was looking for assistance with establishing suitable health surveillance for their employees who had to undertake restraint training.  They found that the employee’s GPs were unwilling to say that they were fit as they did not know what the training incurred.

Action Taken
CHOHS Ltd assessed the full restraint training techniques with a physiotherapist specialist.  Subsequently, a two-part health surveillance programme was introduced which was appropriate to the tasks that the employees were being asked to undertake.

Result
Performance improved for the employer and the employees were individually suitably risk-assessed.

Scenario 4

Issue to Address
An engineering company had an office-based employee with an upper limb disorder.  The Health and Safety Manager had undertaken a Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessment in-house, but he felt they required further specialist OH advice.

Action Taken
CHOHS Ltd visited the workplace, undertook a full assessment and appropriate recommendations were made.

Result
The employee carried on at work with minimal disruption to the organisation and the employee.

Scenario 5

Issue to Address
A company wanted to give its employees Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Assessor training on site.

Action Taken
The staff attended a half-day DSE Assessor training course on site, which involved a mixture of theory and practical.  This allowed the company to take responsibility for its own DSE management.

Result
The feedback given was that the candidates enjoyed the course, which gave them the confidence to put into practice the requirements of the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 as amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002.