Occupational Health and company practice

Overview

The article reviews the present situation in the occupational health services (OHSs) in the Czech Republic at the business level in regards to the transposition of EU directives on occupational health and safety into national legislation. Occupational medical services as a medical part of occupational health services are defined as a package of preventive medical examinations, workplace inspections, consultations, and recommendations provided by medical staff (occupational physicians and nurses). EU Directive 89/391/EEC, relating to preventive and protective services, has yet to be implemented in full. At present roughly 40 % of employers fail to use the occupational physician services that are a legal minimum requirement for companies. The core competences of a recognized occupational physician are listed.

Key words:
occupational medicine, company practice, occupational physician, competencies.