Occupational Medicine - How It Benefits You

Job-related injuries and illnesses happen all the time. Some people, either psychologically or physically, are ill suited for their job and accidents are just waiting to happen.

Occupational medicine, though it was most likely not called that at the time, arose out of the need for specialty medical services between people and possible on-the-job health risks. The U.S. Department of Labor first began to consider and evaluate unhealthy working conditions in the early twentieth-century. Some of the most dangerous places of employment at that time were mills and frequent accidents, illnesses and unexplained poisonings alerted doctors and medical professionals something was drastically wrong and needed special attention.

Thus, out of sheer necessity, occupational medicine was born. But how can occupational medicine benefit you in the workplace? Without your ever knowing of their existence, occupational health organizations, such as the World Health Organization, or WHO, established in 1906, promote and present plans and offer guidelines to Human Resource directors and CEO's in all work environments. Some of their goals are to improve adverse working conditions, work with health care establishments to address people's specific health needs and work to develop policies, which will protect the worker and the workplace. In other words, they are a liaison and keep a close eye on your health more or less behind the scenes. With these governmental agencies working on your behalf, great expense and lost job time can in most cases be eliminated or kept to a minimum.

An area of great concern nowadays was the widespread use of asbestos as a building material in many work environments in the late nineteenth century. Since then, many illnesses have been linked to working or living in an asbestos-lined building. Many organizations work not only to give good medical advice and support for those who have contracted asbestos-related illnesses, but they also work hand-in-hand with agencies designed for the safe removal of asbestos.

Another aspect of occupational medicine is the urgent care facility where on-the-job injuries can be addressed. In most of these facilities, convenience and speed are their two best qualities. No appointment is usually needed and sometimes long, aggravating not to mention painful waiting periods in your local hospital emergency room can be avoided. Experienced medical professionals are always available and most insurance is accepted. Even if you are un-insured, many urgent care facilities provide self-pay options so be sure to ask about this feature.

These places don't just benefit work-related injuries but are refuges for everything from common cold symptoms to broken arms. Most have in-house laboratories and X-ray services facilitating easier lab and X-ray results while you wait. Their convenience, speed and affordability are great assets when a work-related injury occurs.

Whatever the reason or necessity, occupational medicine is a win-win situation for everyone involved. We should be glad we have it.