Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) are specialized nursing professionals who play a crucial and multifaceted role in protecting and promoting the health, safety, and well-being of workers. Their focus is on the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses, as well as the promotion of overall health within the workforce.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Health Surveillance and Monitoring:

• Purpose: To detect early signs of work-related health problems and identify trends.

• Activities:

  • Conducting pre-employment, periodic, and exit medical examinations.

  • Performing specific health screenings based on workplace hazards (e.g., hearing tests for noise exposure, lung function tests for dust/chemical exposure, blood tests for lead exposure).

  • Monitoring biological markers of exposure.

  • Analyzing health data to identify patterns of illness or injury and areas of concern.

  • Maintaining confidential health records.

2. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment:

• Purpose: To identify potential hazards in the workplace and evaluate the risk of harm to workers.

• Activities:

  • Participating in workplace walk-throughs and inspections.

  • Reviewing job tasks, processes, and materials used.

  • Collaborating with safety professionals, industrial hygienists, and management to identify physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards.

  • Assessing the likelihood and severity of potential health effects from identified hazards.

  • Reviewing incident reports and near misses.

3. Development and Implementation of Health and Safety Programs:

• Purpose: To establish programs and strategies to control hazards and prevent work-related health problems.

• Activities:

  • Contributing to the development of health and safety policies and procedures.

  • Assisting in the implementation of control measures based on the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE).

  • Developing programs for specific hazards (e.g., hearing conservation program, respiratory protection program, ergonomics program, bloodborne pathogen exposure control plan).

  • Promoting a culture of safety within the workplace.

4. Health Education and Promotion:

• Purpose: To empower workers with knowledge and skills to protect their own health and safety.

• Activities:

  • Providing training on specific workplace hazards, safe work practices, and the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

  • Educating workers on the early signs and symptoms of work-related illnesses.

  • Conducting health promotion programs on topics such as smoking cessation, healthy eating, stress management, physical activity, and chronic disease prevention.

  • Providing information on available health resources.

  • Counseling individual workers on health and safety concerns.

5. Case Management and Return-to-Work Programs:

• Purpose: To manage work-related injuries and illnesses effectively and facilitate a safe and timely return to work.

• Activities:

  • Providing first aid and emergency care for workplace injuries and illnesses.

  • Coordinating medical care for injured or ill workers.

  • Developing and implementing return-to-work plans, including modified duties or accommodations, in collaboration with the worker, healthcare providers, and management.

  • Monitoring the progress of workers on return-to-work programs.

  • Managing workers’ compensation claims processes.

6. Ergonomics and Injury Prevention:

• Purpose: To prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) by optimizing the fit between workers and their tasks, equipment, and environment.

• Activities:

  • Conducting ergonomic assessments of workstations and job tasks.

  • Recommending modifications to workstations, tools, or work processes to reduce ergonomic risks.

  • Educating workers on proper body mechanics, lifting techniques, and ergonomic principles.

  • Participating in the design of new workstations or processes to incorporate ergonomic considerations.

7. Emergency Preparedness and Response:

• Purpose: To ensure the workplace is prepared for and can respond effectively to medical emergencies.

• Activities:

  • Developing and participating in emergency response plans.

  • Training employees in first aid and CPR.

  • Maintaining first aid supplies and emergency equipment.

  • Providing direct care during workplace emergencies.

8. Counseling and Psychosocial Support:

• Purpose: To address the psychological and emotional well-being of workers, particularly in relation to workplace stressors.

• Activities:

  • Providing confidential counseling for work-related stress, personal issues affecting work, or mental health concerns.

  • Referring workers to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or community mental health services when appropriate.

  • Supporting workers after critical incidents or traumatic events in the workplace.

  • Promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma.

9. Regulatory Compliance and Record Keeping:

• Purpose: To ensure the workplace complies with relevant occupational health and safety laws and regulations.

• Activities:

  • Staying updated on current legislation and standards (e.g., OSHA in the US, or equivalent national bodies).

  • Maintaining accurate and confidential employee health records and injury/illness logs as required by law.

  • Participating in regulatory inspections and audits.

  • Reporting work-related injuries and illnesses as mandated.

10. Research and Program Evaluation:

• Purpose: To use data to improve occupational health programs and demonstrate their effectiveness.

• Activities:

  • Collecting and analyzing data on injuries, illnesses, exposures, and health outcomes.

  • Evaluating the effectiveness of health and safety interventions and programs.

  • Participating in or conducting research related to occupational health.

  • Using evidence-based practices to guide interventions.

11. Advocacy:

• Purpose: To advocate for the health and safety needs of workers at individual, organizational, and sometimes policy levels.

• Activities:

  • Representing worker health concerns to management.

  • Promoting investment in health and safety initiatives.

  • Participating in health and safety committees.

Essential Skills for Occupational Health Nurses:

• Clinical assessment and nursing skills.

• Knowledge of occupational hazards, toxicology, and epidemiology.

• Understanding of health and safety legislation.

• Communication and interpersonal skills.

• Teaching and counseling skills.

• Problem-solving and critical thinking.

• Case management skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Data analysis and program evaluation skills.