Duties and Responsibilities of the Workplace Physician in the Field of Occupational Health
Today, protecting employee health and providing a safe environment at work is of critical importance within the framework of occupational health and safety. At this point, workplace physicians assume a fundamental role in the health and safety management of enterprises. The duties of the workplace physician cover multifaceted responsibilities such as early diagnosis of employees' health problems, preventive health practices and determination of health risks in the workplace.
1. Protection and Monitoring of Employee Health
Workplace physicians regularly monitor the health conditions of employees and try to identify health risks that may occur at the workplace in advance. It monitors the general health status of employees with periodic health checks and contributes to the prevention of occupational diseases. These controls include comprehensive health assessments such as blood pressure measurements, lung X-rays, hearing tests Dec.
2. Prevention and Early Diagnosis of Occupational Diseases
In workplaces that are at risk of occupational diseases according to the characteristics of the working environment, the workplace physician has an important responsibility for the prevention of these diseases. It is the duty of the physician to monitor the health status of employees exposed to chemical, biological or physical hazards, to diagnose possible occupational diseases early and to take the necessary measures. In this way, diseases can be detected at an early stage and the treatment process can be accelerated.
3. First Aid and Emergency Response
Workplace physicians should have the knowledge and skills to perform first intervention in emergency situations at work. A quick and accurate intervention can be life-saving, especially in unexpected situations such as a workplace accident. In this context, it is necessary for the workplace physician to provide basic first aid training to employees and to play a role in the development of emergency plans.
4. Evaluation of the Workplace Environment in Terms of Health
One of the responsibilities of the workplace physician is to assess the health risks in the work environment. By examining factors such as ventilation, lighting, ergonomics in the working environment, it determines the improvements that need to be made in these areas. In addition, it ensures that protective measures are taken against physical and chemical hazards that employees may encounter during work.
5. Health Education and Awareness-Raising Activities
Raising awareness about the prevention of occupational accidents and occupational diseases is another important task of the workplace physician. By organizing health trainings for employees, it encourages the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. In these trainings, various topics from occupational hygiene to ergonomics are discussed. Thus, employees become more conscious about protecting their own health.
6. Fulfillment of Legal Obligations
The workplace physician acts within the framework of the relevant legislation in the field of occupational health and safety. It ensures that the necessary health checks are carried out at work in accordance with the labor law and occupational health and safety regulations, reports are prepared and submitted to the relevant institutions. This task is important in terms of fulfilling the legal obligations of the workplace.
In the field of occupational health, the workplace physician plays an indispensable role in protecting the health of employees and providing a safe working environment at work. A workplace physician who fully fulfills his duties and responsibilities improves the general state of health at the workplace, prevents occupational accidents and occupational diseases. This, in turn, both increases the well-being of employees and positively affects work productivity.
Üniversal OSGB
Occupational Safety and Worker Health Center