Occupational Health Awareness Week and healthier work

Occupational Health Awareness Week (21-27 September) shines a spotlight on the measures, services and support that help prevent work-related ill health. It’s an opportunity to reflect on current approaches and identify practical ways to create safer, healthier working environments.

IOSH is using the week to reinforce the importance of integrating occupational health into workplace risk management and organisational decision-making.

Occupational health focuses on preventing, identifying and addressing work-related health issues. This includes managing risks associated with manual handling, hazardous substances, noise, vibration and other physical hazards, as well as tackling psychosocial risks such as work-related stress, burnout and poor wellbeing.

Working hand-in-hand

For IOSH, occupational health and occupational safety and health are most effective when they work hand-in-hand. While occupational safety and health provides the framework for identifying hazards and managing workplace risks, occupational health brings specialist expertise to promote wellbeing, prevent ill health and support rehabilitation and return to work when employees become unwell.

The issue has never been more pressing. In its report Fixing sick Britain: getting people back to work through good occupational health and safety, IOSH highlighted the scale of the UK's work-related ill health challenge. The report notes that 2.8 million working-age adults are currently out of work because of ill health, creating significant economic and social consequences.

The research also suggests many workers lack confidence that they would receive adequate support if they experienced a long-term health condition, disability or mental health issue. At the same time, access to occupational health services remains limited, with only 45 per cent of UK workers currently having access to occupational health provision.

IOSH believes stronger occupational health systems are essential to creating healthier workplaces and supporting people to stay in work. The institution has called for greater investment in occupational health, stronger prevention strategies, targeted support for small and medium-sized businesses, and measures that encourage employers to provide healthy working environments and good work-life balance.

A positive force for health

Occupational Health Awareness Week is also a reminder that good work can be a positive force for health when risks are properly managed and workers are supported to thrive.

To help organisations strengthen their approach, IOSH offers a range of practical resources, including guidance documents, white papers and its Managing occupational health and wellbeing course. The course equips employers and managers with the knowledge and tools needed to identify health risks, promote wellbeing and build healthier working environments.

By investing in occupational health and prioritising prevention, organisations can create workplaces where people are not only protected from harm but are also supported to flourish, benefiting workers, businesses and society as a whole.