Workplace wellness programs are becoming more widespread in the industry and companies are more proficient in its use,

Sickness leave is a benefit of an employee, which is granted for the recovery of an injury or sickness and is in the form of paid leave. Since the nature of sickness is unpredictable, it is not possible to clearly define the level of sickness leave. An employee who is absent for three weeks following an operation would not be considered in the same way as someone who has had three days off for a fever.

Workplace rehabilitation means helping an injured worker back to safe and suitable work at the earliest possible time.

What is Health Surveillance

Health Surveillance is a process involving a range of strategies and methods to systematically detect and assess the early signs of adverse effects

on the health of workers exposed to certain health hazards and subsequently acting on the results.

This article is about  the use of vaccination in the occupational health (OH) setting.

We will look at the requirements for an effective vaccination programme as part of a comprehensive OH service delivered to people from a range of occupational, ethnic, linguistic and other diverse backgrounds.

TIPS FOR WORKERS WHO MUST WORK SHIFTS DIETARY AND EATING PATTERNS

■ Afternoon workers should have their meal in the middle of the day instead of the middle of their work shift

■ Night workers should eat lightly throughout the shift and have a moderate breakfast

The  integration  of  diabetics  into  Industry  poses  a  significant  challenge  to  Industry, especially type I diabetics. Up until a few decades ago, fear and ignorance of diabetes, coupled with lack of awareness and education by the public and patients led to diabetics being excluded from the work force.

A combination of factors contributes to resilience. Many studies show that the primary factor in resilience is having caring and supportive relationships within and outside the family. Relationships that create love and trust, provide role models, and offer encouragement and reassurance help bolster a person's resilience.

In this difficult economy, you may find it harder than ever to cope with challenges on the job.

It can be argued that the workforce is the most important human asset for any corporation and certainly, the health of the

workforce has been an increasing area of concern over the last two decades.

employment practices grow around these new industrializing needs,

Overweight and obesity are classifications of a person’s excess body fat and are commonly assessed using the Body Mass Index (BMI). The BMI is derived from a person’s weight (in kilograms) divided by their height (in meters) squared (kg/m²). An adult is considered overweight if their BMI is greater than 25 kg/m²

Chemicals from your work can come home on your skin, hair, clothes and shoes. When you go home, these chemicals can get onto your floors, your furniture, or in your car where your family members or pets can be exposed. We call this take-home exposure.

Elemental chlorine is a greenish gas and powerful oxidant that is used as a chemical weapon because of its severe irritant properties. Chlorine reacts with most organic compounds and is an essential reagent in the chemical industry.

Chemical exposures during work can affect both men and women. When the male partner has intensive occupational exposure to certain pesticides, heavy metals, organic solvents or other agents, pregnancy outcomes such as spontaneous abortion and birth defects may be increased.

Ammonia is a colorless gas with a strong characteristic odor similar to urine that allows its detection at low levels.  Ammonia compounds are used in fertilizers, plastics, synthetic fibers, dyes, explosives, pharmaceuticals, and are a major component of many common household cleaning products.

Exposure to ionizing radiation at work could increase your chances of having reproductive problems, including having a baby with a birth defect. Here, you can learn more about ionizing radiation and what you can do to reduce your exposure for a healthier pregnancy.

If you’re employed in the UK, the law protects you against discrimination.. It is a good idea to know your rights and responsibilities in relation to pregnancy and work.

Women who work in restaurants may be concerned about heat and the air they are breathing. Secondhand smoke, as well as smoke from grilling and frying may contain chemicals like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Increased ventilation may help to reduce exposures.

Certain types of medication taken during pregnancy has been can cause birth defects and linked to various infant health risks if taken while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Pregnancy is a time to take good care of yourself and your unborn child. Many things are especially important during pregnancy, such as eating right, cutting out cigarettes and alcohol, and being careful about the prescription and over-the-counter drugs you take. Diagnostic x-rays and other medical radiation procedures of the abdominal area also deserve extra attention during pregnancy.

In 2015 the FDA replaced the former pregnancy risk letter categories (the five-letter system; A, B, C, D and X) on prescription and biological drug labeling with new information to make them more meaningful to both patients and healthcare providers.

Some infections can pass to an unborn baby during pregnancy and cause a miscarriage or birth defect.

Working with formaldehyde could increase your chances of having fertility problems or miscarriage.

Nail and beauty salon employees are potentially exposed to dozens of chemicals including acrylates (epoxies or resins), solvents, and biocides as dusts or vapors. Some chemicals commonly used in salons can enter breast milk or be carried home on skin, clothes, and shoes.

Working with or exposure to certain epoxies or resins could increase your chances of having fertility problems, miscarriage, stillbirth,

Most of the physical and biological agents in the workplace that may affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes are practically unstudied.

Balancing work and family is an important priority for working women, in particular, nursing moms. Today, over 75 percent of women in the United States begin breastfeeding.

 Heavy lifting, standing for long periods of time, or bending a lot during pregnancy could increase your chances of miscarriage, preterm birth, or injury during pregnancy.

Workplace risk and maternity

In the workplace there usually very few risks to a pregnant employee, and most women continue working while pregnant, and there is little reason why being pregnant should stop women from continuing their employment.

Exposure to pesticides could increase your chances of having a miscarriage, a baby with birth defects, or other problems. Some pesticides also may be able to pass into breast milk. Here, you can learn more about these chemicals and what you can do to reduce your exposure for a healthier pregnancy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aware of the concerns arising from recent reports questioning the safety of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines when used during pregnancy.  As a result, FDA valuated research studies published in the medical literature and determined they are too limited to make any recommendations based on these studies at this time.  Because of this uncertainty, the use of pain medicines during pregnancy should be carefully considered.  FDA urges pregnant women to always discuss all medicines with their health care professionals before using them. 

Many factors can affect a woman’s reproductive health and her ability to produce healthy children. We know that the health of an unborn child can suffer if a woman fails to eat right, smokes, or drinks alcohol during pregnancy. However, we know very little about the cause of most reproductive health problems such as infertility,

Exposure to some organic solvents could increase your chances of having a miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, a low birth-weight baby, or a baby with a birth defect. Many solvents also pass into breast milk. Here, you can learn more about what you can do to reduce your exposure for a healthier pregnancy.

Aircrew (pilots and flight attendants)
Pregnant flight attendants and pilots should select flight schedules during pregnancy to reduce exposures to cosmic ionizing radiation and circadian disruption (jet lag). Also, pregnant aircrew should try to reduce physical demands including standing, lifting, and bending from the waist.

What You Should Know about Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment that is worn to reduce your exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Pregnancy discrimination involves treating women (applicants or employees) unfavorably on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions. Pregnancy discrimination can include all of the following actions by an employer: