1. Occupational Health

2. Learning outcomes A bit of History Some Occupational Health stats Occupational Health Nursing in NZ Health Monitoring /Wellbeing programmes Standards for Occupational Health Monitoring How to select an Occupational Health Professional

3. A Bit of History Bernado Ramazzini Published first the first study of “trade” diseases in 1700 Showed an unusual sympathy for the less fortunate members of society First to recommended that physicians should inquire about a patients occupation Acclaimed as the father of occupational medicine

4. Some Occupational Health Stats 500 to 900 deaths per year from Work related illness Predominant causes –Occupational cancer, including asbestos related; Cardiovascular and other respiratory disease 80% are men ~ 30,000 cases per year: non‐fatal disease; hearing loss; musculoskeletal issues; cancer; cardiovascular disease; respiratory ~ 6000 more serious (entitlement paid, and/or hospitalisation) Injury Stats: In 2014, ACC approved 226,100 claims for injuries incurred while working Manufacturing; construction and agriculture = 45% of claims; 72% males, most were in the 45-54 age group (23%); 30% related to upper limbs and 17% to lower limbs.

5. Occupational Health Nursing in NZ The first Industrial Health Clinic 1948 at Glasgow Wharf in Wellington manned by nurses fist aid orientated The NZOHNA was registered with the Incorporated Societies in July of 1973

6. Occupational Health Nurses Todays occupational Health Nurses (OHN) are Registered Nurses who independently: Observe, assess and report with respect to job tasks and risk of exposure to hazards. Focus more on education and prevention

7. What is Occupational health nursing? To provide health monitoring programmes to : detect adverse health effects resulting from occupational exposures at as early a stage as possible indicate the absence of a significant hazard monitor the adequacy of control measures determine individuals at increased risk provide baseline medical data for comparative analysis provide benchmarking for preventative action provide opportunity for health education work collaboratively with management teams and health professionals

8. Occupational health Nursing HSE Act; Providing health surveillance grounded in health monitoring for exposure to hazards. Takes the form of : pre-employment annual monitoring exit of employment health assessments.

9. Occupational Health Nurses work in several ways: For themselves – contracting services Own a company of consulting occupational health nurses Employed by DHBs Employed by Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (Worksafe) Or employed by a large company in an Occ health unit e.g meatworks, factories (production), mining

10. Health Hazards Noise; NIHL chemicals/fumes - Neurotoxicity respiratory hazards - occupational Asthma moving loads (manual handling) - musculoskeletal disorders prolonged sitting at computers/static work - (DPI) new chemical preparations – solvent neurotoxicity; organ disorders; Occupational cancers Stress – mental health - depression

11. Health Monitoring What are the hazards? What are the requirements by law or regulation or standards What do we know about the monitoring the hazard?? Is there good base line health information Are there changes over time Accurate recording of histories and symptom changes Reporting to the organisation

12. How we monitor health Health hazard monitoring: Hearing/audiometry Spirometry Vision assessment Musculoskeletal review Workspace assessments/task analysis Return to work planning and programming Well Health programs: Height; weight; body fat %/BMI; Blood pressure; random BSL Total cholesterol Some OHNs are also Quit Coaches Vaccinations

13. Standards for health monitoring Career pathways Nursing registration Our equipment HASANZ

14. NZOHNA Our Vision: Healthier workplaces with healthier people in Aotearoa New Zealand Mission: We work together to make the work environment a healthier place by helping employees take care of themselves and by reducing health risks in the workplace.

15. NZOHNA Aims: Provide leadership High standards of professionalism. Work collaboratively with employers and other health providers Provide quality advice and service Build and maintain trust and competence Participate in the wider community of health and safety professions in New Zealand

16. Legislative Guidelines and Codes of Practice

17. Advisory Groups “Protecting people at work is not just about reducing the risk of accidents. It is also about ensuring that the long-term health effects of the workplace environment are well managed.” Chair of WorkSafe NZ Board, Professor Gregor Coster OHAG - Occupational Health Advisory Group NOHSAC – The National Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Committee.

18. HASANZ: Health and Safety Assn NZ An association of associations Ensuring professional standards across all H&S specialist groups Professional excellence Industry advocacy Health and safety leadership Stakeholder engagement

19. Occupational Health Nurses Delivering health targets? The Ministry of Health understands that current health target activity undertaken by Occupational Health Nurses could be shared and recorded with the patients PHO. A brief guidance document was developed at MoH level for PHOs to use in establishing/formalising relationships between Occupational Health Nurses and PHOs. Preliminary meetings have taken place to attempt to address this

20. In Summary An Occupational Health Professional has a different set of skills to a Health and Safety professional. (although the two do cross over) Your business is our business NZOHNA members (the importance of this)