occupational health service

a scheme by which employers provide a mainly preventive health service for employees during working hours. Specially trained doctors and nurses advise management on hazardous situations at work, including canteens, washrooms, etc. Advice is also given to management in relation to employees with prolonged or repeated sickness absence and on the potential for rehabilitation programmes for those with disability. Instruction is given to the work force on simple first aid procedures and health promotion programmes in relation to nutrition, exercise, and stress; there is also surveillance of equipment for coping with emergencies. Smaller employing units may band together and obtain such services from a common source or hire them on a sessional basis as required. With the approval of the Health and Safety Executive, the OHS may conduct routine statutory tests on employees working with potentially hazardous substances, such as lead. See also COSHH.