Occupational Health Management Archives – January 1, 2011
January 1, 2011
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Avoid turf wars: Defuse conflicts between safety and occ health
As the occupational health expands into the safety arena, tension between the two areas is a predictable result. One way to avoid conflicts is to clearly establish what each program does. -
Broaden the way you assess safety
Robin Alegria, RN, COHN-S, an occupational health nurse at Baxter Healthcare in Thousand Oaks, CA, says that occupational health can and should play a role in more accurately measuring workplace safety. -
Collaborate with safety, or resentment may grow
As an occupational health professional, you already possess a wealth of knowledge on the importance of a safe work environment, and the necessary skills to address pertinent safety issues. -
Make changes for OSHA recordkeeping
This is a two-part series on occupational health's role in preventing recordkeeping violations. This month, we report on your role in improving compliance, and identify some of the specific violations that can occur in workplaces. -
Want workers to listen to you? Gain their trust
If employees don't trust you, they probably won't listen to your advice, agree to take a health risk assessment, or participate in your wellness programs. -
Is motivation needed? Consider incentives
At a secondary lead smelter in Pennsylvania, monetary incentives have been effective in improving processes, such as keeping blood lead levels down. "It does work, especially when it is a separate line item on their pay stub and the wife can see that!" says occupational health nurse Laurie Heagy, RN, COHN-S. -
Not measuring worker productivity? Start now
New and better tools are needed to measure employee productivity, according to a new position paper. -
What must be part of any business strategy?
Today's employers are looking very closely at both direct healthcare expenditures and indirect costs associated with absenteeism, presenteeism, and disability. -
Wellness metrics point to HCW health risks
When Washington County Health System (now known as Meritus Health) in Hagerstown, MD, first sought to measure the health status of its employees, the results were startling. Thirty-eight employees had undiagnosed diabetes or high blood pressure. More than 500 had glucose levels that placed them at high risk for developing diabetes. Other employees had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or other risk factors. -
HCWs take first steps to better health
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta asked its employees to take steps to better health. A billion steps, to be exact. -
Why a 12-hour shift is unhealthy for nurses
The 12-hour shift, mainstay of the nursing schedule, may be unhealthy for nurses and their patients. -
Occupational health professionals face the challenge of change as the economy slowly recovers.
"The industry is moving to more on-site care. Nurse practitioners and on-site clinics are increasing," -
2010 Salary Survey Results