The Role of the Occupational Physician
The Occupational Physician is a vital advisor for both businesses and their employees, providing all necessary guidance regarding the measures that must be taken to safeguard their physical and mental health.
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What Is an Occupational Physician?
The Occupational Physician is the institutional figure established by law for ensuring the health surveillance and protection of employees.
They are responsible for assessing, advising, and guiding both the employer and the employees regarding the necessary measures to preserve the physical and mental well-being of the workforce.
When Is an Occupational Physician Required?
The need for an Occupational Physician depends on specific legislation, the industry sector, the size of the company, and the level of occupational risks involved.
For companies with more than 50 employees, the presence of an Occupational Physician is mandatory, according to Law 3850/2010.
Additionally, if a company uses certain harmful agents, it is obliged to employ an Occupational Physician regardless of the number of employees.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Occupational Physician
The Occupational Physician has the following duties and responsibilities:
- To provide advice on protective measures when introducing or using materials and equipment.
- To offer guidance on the organization of first aid services within the company.
- To carry out medical examinations of employees related to their job position, both upon hiring or job transfer, and during periodic health checks.
- To ensure that medical tests and environmental measurements are conducted in collaboration with the Safety Officer, according to current regulations.
- To assess employees’ fitness for work, record the results of examinations, issue relevant certificates, and communicate them to the employer.
- To monitor the implementation of health protection and accident prevention measures.
- To inspect workplaces regularly and report any deficiencies observed.
- To propose corrective measures and supervise their implementation.
- To explain the importance of the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- To investigate the causes of work-related diseases, analyze and evaluate the findings, and propose preventive actions.
- To ensure employees comply with occupational health and safety rules and inform them about potential risks and preventive measures.
- To provide emergency medical care in case of accident or sudden illness.
- To carry out vaccination programs for employees when instructed by the competent public health authorities.
- To cooperate with the Safety Officer in the preparation of the Occupational Risk Assessment Study (ΜΕΕΚ).
Benefits of the Occupational Physician Service
The Occupational Physician service offers multiple advantages for both the company and its employees.
It enhances productivity by reducing absences due to illness or injury, boosts employee morale through the assurance of a safe and healthy workplace, and helps prevent occupational diseases and accidents, thus lowering company costs related to medical expenses and compensations.
Medical Confidentiality in the Workplace
Medical confidentiality fully applies in the workplace and includes:
- Confidential matters communicated by the employee to the doctor, which must be protected.
- Any information the doctor learns, infers, or perceives while performing their duties.
- Any data the employee wishes to keep confidential, even if it has already been disclosed.
Cooperation Between the Safety Officer and the Occupational Physician
Effective cooperation between the Safety Officer and the Occupational Physician is essential to ensure the highest level of health and safety protection in the workplace.
This collaboration enables comprehensive management of occupational risks, combining expertise in both safety and health.
The Safety Officer, with their specialization in accident prevention and work environment risk assessment, provides the Occupational Physician with crucial information about conditions that may affect employees’ health. Conversely, the Occupational Physician can advise the Safety Officer on the potential health impacts of those risks and suggest measures for improving working conditions.
Through this close cooperation, prevention and health promotion programs can be implemented to meet the specific needs of employees, enhancing the proactive approach to occupational health and safety.
This includes conducting inspections, providing training and awareness sessions, and developing a comprehensive safety system supported by both professionals. Moreover, the collection and analysis of workplace illness and accident data can help design targeted interventions to reduce risks.
Contact Hellecon Services
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