OHS guide · Occupational Health
Occupational Health articles
64 guide articles. Each one covers the legal basis, practical steps and common mistakes.
Occupational Health articles
Diesel Exhaust Fumes: The Risk in Warehouses and Garages
How do diesel exhaust fumes build up in an enclosed warehouse? Diesel forklifts, idling trucks at the dock, garage ventilation, measurement…How to Get a First Aid Certificate: Course and Duration
How do you get a first aid certificate? 16 hours of training, an 85-point exam, 3-year validity and an 8-hour refresher in the 3 months…Psychological Support and Trauma After an Occupational Accident
How do you recognise trauma reactions after an accident? The first 72 hours for witnesses, psychological first aid, physician follow-up and…First Aid for Cuts and Bleeding: A Workshop Guide
First aid for bleeding: direct pressure, pressure dressings, the limits of tourniquets and the hospital referral decision for knife, sheet…Turning Health Surveillance Data into Risk Analysis
Analysing health surveillance results: group examination and test findings by unit without identities and turn them into risk assessment…Mass Food Poisoning in the Canteen: What to Do
The first hours of suspected food poisoning at work: symptoms, the case list, protecting reference samples, the physician's role and steps…Isocyanate Exposure: Polyurethane and Paints
Isocyanate exposure in polyurethane foam and two-component paints can cause asthma. Learn the MDI and TDI difference, mask selection and…Canteen and Kitchen Hygiene from an OHS Perspective
Canteen hygiene is also the workplace physician's job. An inspection checklist for the cold chain, reference samples, staff hygiene and…Workplace Alcohol and Substance Use Policy
Writing a workplace alcohol policy: critical tasks, sedating medicines, steps when in doubt and the workplace physician's role in…Biological Monitoring: Exposure in Blood and Urine
What is biological monitoring? When blood and urine tests make sense for solvent, metal and pesticide exposure, when to sample and how to…Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation in the Office
How to monitor office indoor air quality: reading CO2 levels, meeting room ventilation, air conditioning and filter upkeep, and assessing…Duties and Authority of a First Aider in the Workplace
What are a first aider's duties, and can they give medication? The limits of a certified first aider's authority, shift cover and how to…Lead Exposure: Batteries, Soldering and Paint Work
How does lead exposure occur in battery, soldering and old paint removal work? Routes of entry, personal hygiene, blood lead testing and…Occupational Cancers: Which Exposures Carry a Risk?
Which exposures are linked to occupational cancers? Asbestos, silica, benzene, wood dust and welding fume risks, long latency and 40-year…Chest X-Rays Under the ILO Classification
What is an ILO chest X-ray and how is it read? ILO classification for dusty work, reader qualifications, categories 0/0 to 3/+ and fitness…Older Workers: Risks and Adapting the Work
Safety for older workers: adapting work to changes in vision, hearing, heat tolerance and strength, health surveillance, and arrangements…Anaesthetic Gas Exposure in Operating Theatres
Anaesthetic gas exposure: sources of waste gas in theatre and recovery, checking the scavenging system, measurement and measures for…Hand-Arm Vibration and Vibration White Finger
Vibration white finger: blood vessel and nerve damage from vibrating hand tools, the effect of cold, early symptoms and an example of…Exposure When Preparing Antineoplastic Drugs
How does chemotherapy drug exposure occur in preparation, administration and waste? Cabinet, PPE, spill kit and health surveillance for…Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome an Occupational Disease?
Does carpal tunnel syndrome count as an occupational disease? Its place on the list, evidence for the SGK process, EMG and job adaptation…Occupational Infections: Hepatitis, Brucellosis, Tuberculosis
Occupational infections in healthcare, livestock, waste and laboratory work: hepatitis B, TB and brucellosis routes, vaccines, PPE and…Wood Dust: Carcinogenic Effects and Dust Extraction
How do wood dust and MDF dust affect health? The carcinogenic effect of hardwood dust, the 5 mg/m³ limit, setting up extraction and health…Preventing Back and Neck Pain in the Workplace
How are musculoskeletal disorders prevented? Early reporting, physician assessment and job adaptation for work-related back, neck and…Frequently asked questions
How often are periodic medical examinations required?
Periodic examinations are required at least every 5 years in less hazardous, every 3 years in hazardous and every year in very hazardous workplaces. For children, young workers and pregnant employees the interval is at most 6 months; the workplace physician may shorten it.
When is a hearing test (audiometry) mandatory?
A hearing test is mandatory where noise exceeds the upper exposure action value of 85 dB(A), and may be offered above 80 dB(A). Noise levels are established by workplace measurements carried out by authorised laboratories.
How often should tests such as spirometry or a full blood count be repeated?
The legislation sets no fixed interval for these tests; the workplace physician decides which tests are needed and how often, based on the job’s risks. See our health surveillance page for details.
How long are employee health files kept?
Personal health files are kept for at least 15 years after the employee leaves. Health information is confidential, and the cost of examinations cannot be passed on to employees.