When we think of nurses, we often envision compassionate caregivers in hospitals. However, this image overlooks a crucial segment of nursing professionals known as Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs). These registered nurses help prevent and manage work-related injuries and illnesses and play a vital role in promoting employee health and safety across the workplace.
According to the National Safety Council, workplace injuries and illnesses cost U.S. employers approximately $575 billion annually in direct claims and $1.5 billion in lost productivity.1 OHNs play a significant role in lowering these costs by reducing the total cost of risk for commercial operations.
Below are highlights of their impact on workplace health, safety, and organizational efficiency.
OHNs are instrumental during the pre-employment phase. They conduct comprehensive health assessments, including medical history reviews and physical examinations, to evaluate a candidate’s fitness for specific job requirements. This proactive approach helps identify pre-existing health issues that may affect job performance or necessitate accommodation, thereby minimizing the risk of future injuries.
OHNs ensure that pre-employment health assessments comply with relevant laws and regulations, such as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. This compliance mitigates legal risks and helps organizations avoid potential litigation related to discriminatory hiring practices. OHNs also provide health education to candidates, emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle and managing existing health conditions.
Maintaining a drug-free environment is crucial, and OHNs play a pivotal role here. They develop comprehensive drug-free workplace policies in collaboration with organizational leaders, outlining expectations regarding substance use and the consequences of violations. OHNs also implement drug screening programs, including protocols for pre-employment, random, and post-incident testing to ensure fairness and compliance with regulations. Furthermore, they connect employees with substance abuse treatment and support services, helping to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.
OHNs often serve as the first point of contact for employees who sustain work-related injuries or illnesses. Their training helps them assess the severity of injuries and provide immediate care. By facilitating early medical intervention and accurate reporting, OHNs can prevent conditions from worsening, which may lead to prolonged absences and higher costs associated with workers' compensation.
When it comes to claims processing, meticulous documentation of injuries, treatments, and the employee’s ability to work following an injury or illness is essential. Accurate records ensure efficient claims processing and help minimize disputes and delays. By analyzing data on workplace injuries and illnesses, OHNs provide insight to safety committees into trends and risk factors. This information is instrumental in the development of strategies to address underlying issues.
OHNs are trained to provide immediate medical care in emergencies, such as injuries or sudden illnesses. They assess situations, provide first aid, and stabilize patients until additional medical help arrives. OHNs collaborate with healthcare providers, insurance companies, and employers to coordinate care for injured workers, facilitating prompt treatment and expediting recovery.
Trained to identify inconsistencies in reported injuries and treatments, OHNs play a critical role in preventing fraud claims. Their insights help ensure that benefits are awarded only in legitimate cases, which significantly lowers costs for the organization.
OHNs are pivotal in developing and implementing safe return-to-work programs for injured employees. Effective strategies minimize downtime and productivity loss while ensuring that employees are gradually reintroduced to their roles in a safe manner.
After an injury, OHNs identify the specific needs of the injured worker and develop tailored care plans that address recovery and job requirements. Personalized care enhances recovery by considering physical, emotional, and occupational factors. OHNs also provide essential emotional support by helping employees cope with stress, anxiety, or depression due to their injuries. They educate injured workers on self-management techniques, rehabilitation exercises, and lifestyle modifications that support recovery.
OHNs adjust care plans as needed through regular monitoring of an injured worker’s progress. Complications are addressed promptly, preventing setbacks in recovery and facilitating a more efficient return to work.
Maintaining open lines of communication with employers and insurance providers is essential for OHNs. Keeping all parties informed about an injured worker’s condition fosters trust and transparency, simplifying the claims process, and creating a supportive work environment conducive to recovery.
The rise of workplace violence and opioid addiction increases the need for onsite medical expertise. OHNs can provide medical triage as part of an emergency response and train employees in CPR and first aid, creating a culture of preparedness in an organization. In cases of overdose or acute substance use crises, OHNs provide immediate support and intervention, including administering naloxone (Narcan) and coordinating emergency medical assistance.
According to Dr. Andre McShan, an occupational health physician at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the optimal staffing level for onsite OHNs begins at 500 employees. However, alternative staffing arrangements are possible through agencies or vendors. Make sure OHNs have a dedicated space to perform their duties.
OHNs play a crucial role in promoting employee wellness.2 They provide one-on-one personalized health coaching to employees, helping them set and achieve health-related goals. They utilize various strategies, including nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mindfulness to support employees in their health journeys. OHNs collaborate with organizational leaders to design and lead wellness programs that promote healthy lifestyles. These programs might include smoking cessation classes, weight management or fitness challenges, stress reduction workshops, and immunization clinics (e.g., annual flu shots for employees). The nurse becomes a trusted in-house advisor that employees can turn to for health advice.
Occupational Health Nurses play a vital role in enhancing workplace health and safety. Their expertise in injury prevention, early intervention, and employee wellness helps lower costs associated with workplace injuries and fosters a healthier, more productive workforce. By investing in OHNs, organizations can significantly improve their overall operational efficiency and employee satisfaction. Work Health Solutions calculates an 87% reduction in organizational health costs thanks to OHNs, which reduces both the severity and number of claims.5
Sonya Conner, RN, BSN, CPHRM
Vice President
Healthcare Risk Management Consultant
McGriff Risk Control
George Harris
Risk Control Consultant
McGriff Risk Control
