The Role of Occupational Health Practitioners in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Prevention: The Need for Collaboration

It is increasingly recognized that working conditions are important determinants of the health of populations. Indeed it has long been recognized that people face many hazards to their health and safety at work. To identify and address the multitude of biological, chemical, physical, biomechanical and psychosocial threats to the health and safety of workers requires collaboration of diverse professionals and practitioners with varied areas of expertise. It is, however, also essential that the various individuals, departments and organizations with mandates in this area understand and respect each others’ roles. Occupational health practitioners (OHPs) working in the healthcare sector, for example, have an important role in primary prevention (working with health and safety personnel to implement control measures at the source, along the path, and at the person experiencing the hazards – including involvement in training, and in providing other primary prevention measures such as vaccines.) OHPs also have an important role in secondary prevention (e.g. providing post exposure prophylaxis and job modifications at the first indication of problems occurring). And OHPS have a strong role in tertiary prevention - namely disability prevention and accommodation. This presentation will review these roles and discuss collaborations needed along the way.