Frequently Asked Questions About Establishing an Occupational Health and Safety Program

1. How do I know if a health and safety program would benefit my company?
2. What budget considerations need to be included in planning the implementation of an occupational health and safety program?
3. How will an occupational health and safety program impact productivity?
4. What types of services should be considered when establishing (or expanding an already existing) occupational health and safety program?
5. How can an occupational health and safety program help us comply with government regulations?
6. What would be the appropriate ratio of health and safety staff to number of employees?
7. Is it more cost-effective to have an onsite occupational health and safety program or to outsource?
8. Where can I find resources and staff to establish an occupational health and safety program?

 

1. How do I know if a health and safety program would benefit my company?

An occupational health and safety program has many potential advantages. Benefits can range from savings in health care dollars, workers’ compensation costs and reduced lost-work days to regulatory compliance and a safer, healthier more satisfied workforce. The occupational health and safety program is the key to a quality, cost-effective, comprehensive health and safety service, focusing on the promotion, protection and restoration of workers’ health.

The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN) created this Web site to assist organizations in determining the benefit of an occupational health and safety program. Using this Web site, you can identify if there is a need for an occupational health and safety program and what types of services are critical to meet your company’s health surveillance requirements as well as corporate goals and objectives. 

Use the Bottom Line Assessment Tool to help measure your company's spending on health care costs that ultimately affect your company's bottom line.

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2. What budget considerations need to be included in planning the implementation of an occupational health and safety program?

All operating expenses must be identified. An occupational health and safety program needs to consider:

• salaries and benefits of staff;
• medical and administrative supplies;
• contract services and equipment;
• computer software;
• training and professional development; and
• overhead expenses.

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3. How will an occupational health and safety program impact productivity?

A healthier worker population will decrease absenteeism and lost time from work, and consequently, increase productivity. A safer work environment will result in fewer injuries and illnesses and decrease workers’ compensation claims.

There are also substantial savings from offering onsite primary episodic care. It takes a great deal of time and effort to leave work to attend a doctor’s appointment, have ancillary services performed, and pick up prescriptions offsite. Besides decreasing time spent away from the workplace, providing employees with the ability to do these things onsite may give them a sense of loyalty to the company as the company demonstrates “it cares for its own.”

Many corporations have had great success with comprehensive occupational health and safety programs. You can read some specific examples under “Success Stories."

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4. What types of services should be considered when establishing (or expanding an already existing) occupational health and safety program?

The scope of an occupational health and safety program may vary depending on corporate objectives and goals. Some corporations strive for total health management and others simply want to provide the essential health and safety surveillance dictated by law. Some of the services that should be considered for inclusion are:

• Assessments – Health assessments help match workers’ capabilities to job requirements. Periodic physical examinations and evaluations for problems, such as excess absenteeism or poor job performance, can lead to early detection of health problems. Prompt referrals and treatments save on future health care costs and keep employees on the job.
• Case Management – The case manager establishes a provider network, recommends treatment plans that assure quality and efficiency while controlling costs, monitors outcomes and maintains a strong communication link among all parties. Case management, through effective coordination of health care services, facilitates safe return to work and results in cost savings.
• Health Promotion & Education – Employees can learn to assume more responsibility for staying healthy through such programs as smoking cessation, exercise and fitness, nutrition and weight control, stress management, control of chronic illnesses and effective use of medical services. These programs reduce health care costs, lower absenteeism, improve employee fitness for work, and give workers a sense of the employer’s concern for their well-being, which can motivate improved performance.
• Counseling & Crisis Intervention – Employee assistance programs offer professional attention, counseling and referral for such issues as substance abuse and emotional and/or family problems. Treatment of these problems lowers insurance costs and improves performance while generating goodwill by demonstration of company caring.
• Health & Hazard Surveillance – Incidence of work-related diseases is increasing daily. A qualified occupational health professional understands the ever-changing regulations and can obtain and review health histories, perform physical examinations and monitor biological and environmental factors. Employer access to a professional who can monitor a high-risk employee and intervene early to prevent disability or death diminishes the loss of economic and human resources.
• Injury Prevention & Loss Control – Preventing injuries on site is critical to improving safety performance, lowering insurance rates, and increasing worker morale through demonstration of concern for their well-being. This is accomplished through such programs and activities as teaching safety awareness; participating in safety audits and inspections; performing post-accident review and evaluation; evaluating protective equipment and machinery; and providing first-aid training.
• Work-related Injury & Illness Management – An effective occupational health and safety program provides prompt, professional care for emergencies and minor illnesses and injuries. Follow-up includes continuous care and referral for further treatment when appropriate. Benefits include decreased workers’ compensation costs, lowered disability, fewer early retirements, decreased lost-work time and lowered costs for training replacement workers.
  
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5. How can an occupational health and safety program help us comply with government regulations?

Numerous regulations and guidelines exist to protect the worker and environment. Failure to recognize regulations applicable to your work setting can result in work-related injuries and illnesses, financial penalties and even criminal charges. The occupational health and safety professional possesses competencies to verify that health programs comply with federal, state and local regulations and have appropriate exposure monitoring health surveillance programs and hazard identification.

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6. What would be the appropriate ratio of health and safety staff to number of employees?

Multiple factors weigh into the determination of staffing ratios in occupational health. Occupational health and safety programs vary by type of industry; therefore, it is impossible to set universal staffing ratios. A nuclear power plant is very different from a corporate headquarters in terms of acuity, services rendered, surveillance and compliance issues.

It is appropriate to perform an individual needs assessment. Always consider the:

• size of the corporation;
• types of services required;
• type of industry;
• potential health and safety hazards;
• health surveillance requirements;
• demographics and risk factors of the employee population; and
• corporate goals and objectives.
  
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7. Is it more cost-effective to have an onsite occupational health and safety program or to outsource?

The first step in answering this question is to define an adequate system to capture costs. You must determine all operating expenses and determine the price of every service that you offer (e.g. spirometry, audiometry, etc.). This is vital even if the occupational health program does not directly charge for the product.

A dollar amount must be ascertained to be able to compare to competitors. You'll need to research what other health care providers are charging for services. You will then need to calculate the average price for each service and find the mean for the competitors. Using the data you have collected, you now know the cost of all operating expenses; a list of all services and prices of your occupational health program; and a list of competitors’ prices. Based on these calculations you can compare which is the more economical choice: having an on-site program versus outsourcing. One caveat is that some services you may provide are difficult to quantify (e.g. worksite walk-throughs and consultations with supervisors regarding employees).

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8. Where can I find resources and staff to establish an occupational health and safety program?

Founded in 1942, AAOHN is a 10,000-member professional association dedicated to advancing the health, safety and productivity of domestic and global workforces by providing education, research, public policy and practice resources for the occupational and environmental health profession. These professionals are the largest group of healthcare providers serving the worksite. As the premier resource for occupational health and safety, AAOHN offers valuable resources to assist your development of an occupational health and safety program, including:

• Foundation Blocks  Selections include:
  
  
  • Guidelines for Starting an Occupational Health and Safety Service 
  • Developing Occupational Health Job Descriptions
• Competencies in Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing
• Compensation and Benefits Study

To find qualified health professionals to manage and staff your occupational health and safety program, AAOHN offers an Employment Information Service (EIS).

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