Advice
The Occupational Health Adviser is available to provide ALL employees with confidential advice and support on any health issues. Before contacting us, please follow our referral procedure.
Health and Safety Advice
Work related Health and Safety issues for which Occupational Health can be contacted include:
- Display screen equipment (DSE) assessment – Occupational Health, working in conjunction with Safety and Occupational Health physiotherapist, have updated DSE guidance which details the DSE assessment process and the remit of Occupational Health in the management of musculo skeletal work related problems – for guidance please download the Safety Office's Display Screen Equipment Guidance notes.
- For details on DSE Chair purchase policy please download the Safety Office's DSE Operator Chair Purchasing Policy.
- For details on DSE eye sight testing please download our procedure for Vision Screening/Testing for Defined Display Screen Equipment Users. The associated form can be found in the forms section.
- Please also refer to University Safety Office guidance notes on Display Screen assessments with links to Health & Safety Executive (HSE) information sources.
- Expenses Regulations provide guidance on how to claim expenses for eyesight test and/or corrective DSE spectacles.
- Disability - access to work or any adaptations or alterations that may be required in relation to any specific special needs at work. For further information please see Human Resources Disabled Staff Information.
- Immunisation - advice in relation to any vaccinations required or recommended for work.
- Leptospirosis - there are two types of leptospirosis infection which can affect workers in the UK: Weils Disease (a serious and sometimes fatal infection transmitted to humans by contact with urine from infected rats) and, the Hardjo form of leptospirosis (transmitted from cattle to humans). Workers affected are those on farms, those who undertake sewage work and fieldwork involving caving and/or contact with stagnant water such as ponds and canals. For further guidance visit the HSE website (http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg84.htm)
- Noise - any concerns regarding noise at work and its effects upon health. Further information can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/noise/noise.htm (Health and Safety Executive).
- Pregnancy - specifically in relation to working environment and arrangements. Please read the University's Pregnancy Policy guidance for new and expectant mothers, and see also the Employee Pregnancy Booklet – A Guide for Expectant Mothers. For further information visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/ (Health & Safety Executive), or the Department of Health's Pregnancy Book.
- Stress - or any mental health problems, associated with or affecting work, for further information go to University Stress policy. Additional advice and support is also provided by the University Stress Support Group.
- Substances hazardous to health - any concerns regarding the use of any hazardous substance and the effects upon health. See University guidance on substances hazardous to health including chemical, and biological agents.
- Work place assessments - associated with any health issues or problems. Advice and guidance will be given, with a report going to your manager on any actions/workplace reasonable adjustments required.
Night work assessment
Under Working Time Regulations, all night workers will be offered an initial and an annual health assessment. A night worker is classified as an individual who regularly works for more than three hours during the period 11 pm to 6 am, primarily Security staff within the University.
The assessment is voluntary and additional to any other health assessment undertaken via the University. Completed questionnaires, designed to identify possible areas of special need in relation to night work, are held and assessed in confidence within the Occupational Health Service.