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Occupational Health Specialists

Expected Shortfall of 42,000 Occupational Health Specialists

Posted on July 12, 2016

The health of the UK’s workforce is being damaged by a shortage of occupational health specialists across all disciplines, according to a study by the Council for Work and Health (CWH).

Planning the future: Implications for occupational health; delivery and training calculates a shortfall of around 1000 occupational hygienists and over 2000 specialists in ergonomics and human factors.

They are included in an overall figure of 41,708 “missing” occupational health specialists, based on the number of professionals needed to “provide an equitable service for workers”. This is based on a government estimate of the size of the UK workforce in 2015. The council was formed in 2009 to create a single voice on workplace health. It includes representatives of IIRSM, BOHS, IOSH and the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors.

In the foreword, CWH chair, Professor Diana Kloss said: “The HSE has placed greater emphasis on preventing occupational disease than in former times. Sickness absence continues to be a burden on the national economy.”

The report says that too few practitioners are undertaking training, while a high proportion of existing practitioners are nearing retirement. It argues that the shortfall will get worse without action from government, employers, the NHS and providers.

It recommends overhauling training in occupational health to improve access and develop a stronger pipeline of “high-calibre occupational health practitioners”.

In five other recommendations, the report argues that:

  • Mainstream healthcare provision should be extended to integrate occupational health;
  • The government should incentivise investment in health workplaces, well being and occupational health initiatives;
  • Employers should be helped to understand the return on investment in occupational health;
  • Competency frameworks should be developed to ensure the capability of the occupational health workforce;
  • There is a need for better planning of the occupational health workforce.

Would any of our members/clients find Occupational Health Services beneficial to your company?

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