UK government commits to action on occupational health

Dame Black will lead the government’s occupational health taskforce which, among other things, will develop a voluntary occupational health framework for businesses.

The framework, which is being developed in response to a public consultation exercise, will be designed to increase awareness of the benefits of occupational health provision in the workplace. It is expected to set out minimum levels of occupational health needed to stop sickness-related job losses and help businesses better support those returning to work after a period of ill-health.

Only around 45% of British employees currently have access to some form of occupational health provision, according to government statistics. Currently, 28% of British employers provide some form of occupational health, with large employers nearly three times more likely than small or medium sized businesses (SMEs) to do so.

Health and safety law expert Kevin Bridges of Pinsent Masons said that the new framework was likely to include a focus on mental health and wellbeing, as well as physical health.

“Improving workplace mental health is a key target for both the government and the regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who  are likely to want to double down on their efforts in this space following the most recent workplace ill-health statistics.  Those statistics demonstrate that poor mental health remains a significant cause of workplace absence,” he said.

Poor mental health means days and productivity lost, and the government is clearly intent on doing all it can to improve outcomes via education and guidance.  One way is to ensure provision of access to suitable workplace occupational health provision. Noting that employers’ obligations under UK law extended beyond physical health and safety, Bridges highlighted employers’ responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their workers, and others, as far as is reasonably practicable.

“For employers, increased awareness and knowledge of the dangers of workplace stress, depression and anxiety will feed into what is considered reasonable, so any guidance on measures and to increase awareness of responsibilities is to be welcomed,” he said. “Whilst care must be taken not to impose a disproportionate burden on employers, where appropriate, access to occupational health services may well go a long way to securing a positive outcome for affected workers”.

The voluntary occupational health framework for businesses is expected to be introduced in mid-2024.