On Site Health Solutions Newsletter January 2013

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Our On Site Health Surveillance Services can include... Respiratory / Lung Function Testing Audiometry (Hearing Tests) Vision Testing Hand Arm Vibration Assessments Dermatological Assessment (Skin) Phlebotomy Services

We have a range of occupational medical services available including... Happy New Year. I hope you had a very peaceful and happy Christmas and 2013 brings you health and happiness. This year we will be focussing on different health topics every month. This month we will be looking at Occupational Hearing Loss, Occupational Asthma as well as Alcohol in the workplace.

The Love your Liver campaign is a national awareness initiative by a national charity, the British Liver Trust. We each have a responsibility for our own health. Follow the steps below to achieve a healthier liver.

Love Your Liver in 3 simple steps... Step 1 Keep off the alcohol for 2 to 3 days in a row. Step 2 Take more exerceise and stay fit. Step 3 Cut down on sugar and fat. For more information visit ... www.loveyourliver.org.uk/ Did you know that recent research revealed that 520,000 people in Great Britain go to work with a hangover each day. The average person goes to work suffering from the effects of too much alcohol three times a month, with almost one in five people (17%) admitting that they struggle to manage their workload and make mistakes as a direct result of being hungover. Alcohol has become a big issue within the work place. This is not something we can simply turn a blind eye to, this is something we need to deal with head on and tackle this increasingly problematic issue. At OSHS we offer drug and alcohol training workshops for both managers and employees. This gives a good awareness of the affects of alcohol and drugs on the body. For more information contact us on 01292 262770.

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Pre-employment Questionnaires Pre-employment Medicals Sickness Absence Medicals and Management report and advice Fork Lift Truck Driver Medicals Night Worker Questionnaire Night Worker Medicals Lead Worker Medicals HGV/LGV/PCV Driver Medicals Smoking Cessation Advice Drug & Alcohol Testing Executive Medicals

PTS FAST TRACK TO SAFETY

On Site Health Solutions is fast becoming a market leader in PTS Medicals and Drug and Alcohol Tests. With a 72 hour turnaround of negative results, you will find it hard to beat the excellent service offered by our company. A D&A test costs from as little as ÂŁ45 with a PTS from as little as ÂŁ114.00. Block booking rates are available and we guarantee not to be beaten on price. We offer a UK wide support network and hold the Achilles Link Up Approval via Audit. Worried about the Drug and Alcohol Test. Why not do an instant test prior to the full medical.We can do this on site or alternatively we can supply the kits to you which will then enable you to do this yourself. Full training is given and we can also supply consent forms and alcohol breathalysers . Please contact us for full details and prices.

OSHS Ltd offers a wide range of Contact us Now on training programmes and 01292 262770 workshops for both associates www.oshsltd.co.uk and management alike.

info@oshsltd.co.uk

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OCCUPATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL HEARING LOSS ASTHMA Occupational hearing loss is damage to the inner ear from noise or vibrations due to certain types of jobs.

Causes Over time, repeated exposure to loud noise and music can cause hearing loss. Occupational hearing loss is caused by long term exposure to loud vibration or sound. Sounds above 80 decibels (dB, a measurement of the loudness or strength of sound vibration) may cause vibration intense enough to damage the inner ear, especially if the sound continues for a long time. • 90 dB — a large truck 5 yards away (motorcycles, snowmobiles, and similar engines range from 85 - 90 dB). • 100 dB — some rock concerts. • 120 dB — a jackhammer about 3 feet away. • 130 dB — a jet engine from 100 feet away. A general rule of thumb is that if you need to shout to be heard, the sound is in the range that can damage hearing. Some jobs carry a high risk for hearing loss, such as: • Airline ground maintenance. • Construction. • Farming. • Jobs involving loud music or machinery.

Audiometry An audiometry exam tests your ability to hear sounds. Sounds vary based on their loudness (intensity) and the speed of sound wave vibrations (tone). Hearing occurs when sound waves stimulates the nerves of the inner ear. Eventually the sound travels along nerve pathways to the brain. Sound waves can travel to the inner ear through the ear canal, eardrum, and bones of the middle ear (air conduction), or through the bones around and behind the ear (bone conduction). The INTENSITY of sound is measured in decibels (dB): This test can detect hearing loss at an early stage. It is a must within the work place. Audiometry tests can be carried out as a stand alone procedure or as part of the full health surveillance sessions.

Up and Coming Events... February 2013

National Heart Month British Heart Foundation

March 2013

No Smoking Day

Occupational asthma is a lung disorder in which substances found in the workplace cause the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow, leading to attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

Causes Many substances in the workplace can cause occupational asthma. The most common triggers are wood dust, grain dust, animal dander, fungi, or other chemicals (especially diisocyanates). Though the actual rate of occurrence of occupational asthma is unknown, it is suspected to cause 2 - 20% of all asthma cases in industrialized nations. The following workers are at higher risk: • Bakers. • Detergent Manufacturers. • Drug Manufacturers. • Farmers. • Grain Elevator Workers. • Laboratory Workers. • Metal Workers. • Millers. • Plastic Workers. • Woodworkers.

Symptoms Symptoms are usually due to swelling of the airways and spasms of the muscles lining the airways. This reduces the amount of air that can pass through, and can lead to wheezing sounds. Symptoms usually occur shortly after you are exposed to the substance, and often improve or go away when you leave work. Some people may not have symptoms until 12 or more hours after being exposed to the allergen. Symptoms usually get worse toward the end of the work week and may (but not always) go away on weekends or vacations. In general, symptoms include: • Coughing / Tight feeling in the chest. • Shortness of Breath / Wheezing.

Bringing you the full package!

No matter what your Occupational Health need, we have both a budget programme to suit you.

PRE-PLACEMENT QUESTIONNAIRES • PRE-PLACEMENT MEDICALS SICKNESS ABSENCE MEDICALS • WORKING AT HEIGHTS, LONE WORKERS MEDICALS WELL MAN/WELL WOMAN • DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTS – UK WIDE SERVICE HEALTH SURVEILLANCE DAYS • FLU PROGRAMMES • HEALTHY HEART PROMOTIONS WORKSHOPS • ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Just some of the many services available to our clients on a National Basis. Contact the team at OSHS Ltd for more information.

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