Island employers are invited to an open evening at the Commercial Occupational Health Department when professional staff will be on hand to give help and advice relating to staff absence problems.

The open evening is being held on 7 June 2006 at 6.00 p.m. at the Commercial Occupational Health Department, 5 The Courtyard, St Cross Business Park, Newport.  (See advert in IW County Press 2 June 2006 for details)

Noted recently by the Health and Safety Executive as a highly trained and able team, they are able to offer a wide range of services related to all aspects of work related health. These include help and advice on managing sickness absence - commonly stress and depression or musculo-skeletal problems being a cause of lost working days; advice is given on the situation and how best to help the employee back into work.

Additional expertise is available from the Back Care Team for any ergonomic problems, including workplace assessments and advice on job adjustments.
Health surveillance checks are provided for employees working with various hazards or substances such as chemicals, dust, noise or vibration, and periodic medical reviews for drivers, forklift operators or those working at heights or in confined spaces.

Since the official opening of the Commercial Occupational Health Department 14th February 2005, the team which is led by Di Eccleston Lead OH Nurse, is looking to expand service provision to more Island companies.

The open evening is an opportunity for employers to drop in and chat directly with the professionals about any problems they may be having and how best to manage them.