Is Health the Missing Piece in OHS Conversations?
We often hear the phrase “Occupational Health and Safety”, but in practice, health frequently takes a backseat to safety. While high-visibility vests and hard hats are front of mind, health concerns—especially less visible ones like mental wellbeing, fatigue, and chronic illness—are often overlooked until something goes wrong.
So why is this the case? And more importantly, what can organisations do to correct the imbalance?
The Uneven Focus in OHS: Health vs Safety
In many workplaces, safety protocols are well-established: emergency procedures, hazard signs, PPE, and routine compliance checks. These are crucial—no question. But occupational health (occ health) tends to be reactive rather than proactive.
Health-related issues are often flagged only after an incident has occurred, such as:
- A mental health crisis
- A long-term injury that didn’t receive early intervention
- A mismanaged return-to-work case
- A motor vehicle accident due to a poorly managed health condition
By the time occupational health comes into the picture, both the individual and the business may already be facing significant consequences—from prolonged absence to spiralling insurance premiums.
Why Is Occupational Health Often Overlooked?
There are several reasons health may be sidelined in the OHS conversation:
- Invisibility: Many health risks, ranging from anxiety to poorly controlled diabetes, are often harder to see or quantify.
- Stigma: Mental health concerns can carry stigma, deterring both workers and managers from addressing them openly.
- Complexity: Diagnosing and managing health risks often involves multiple stakeholders—GPs, specialists, rehab providers, and insurers—making it harder to coordinate a streamlined response.
- Lack of in-house expertise: Many organisations, particularly smaller ones, don’t have dedicated health professionals on staff.
But there’s good news. You can take meaningful steps to shift the balance. And it doesn’t need to be complicated or costly!
Taking the First Step: Introducing Our Free Occupational Health Audit Tool
To help businesses assess their current approach to occupational health, we’ve developed the Workplace Occupational Health Audit Tool—a free, easy-to-use resource designed to kickstart your health risk assessment and planning.
What is the Occupational Health Audit Tool?
The audit is designed for employers, HR teams, WHS professionals, and anyone seeking to better understand their organisation’s health posture.
It:
- Identifies gaps in your current occupational health systems
- Offers a quick snapshot of risks and opportunities for improvement
- Highlights how Phoenix Occupational Medicine can support your needs
- Acts as a starting point for risk management and compliance planning
- Is completely free and takes just minutes to complete
If you’re not sure where to begin with occ health, this tool is the perfect first step.
Try the Workplace Occupational Health Audit Tool
What Happens When Health Is Ignored?
When organisations delay or downplay health concerns, the downstream effects can be significant:
- Prolonged employee absences
- Increased workers compensation costs
- Lower productivity and morale
- Higher staff turnover
- Reputational damage
- Increased insurance premiums the following year
These costs are rarely visible on a spreadsheet. Still, they’re deeply felt across the business.
Early identification, intervention, and access to best-practice assessment and treatment are beneficial to the organisation as well as the employee.
The Role of Occupational and Environmental Physicians
At Phoenix Occupational Medicine, our Occupational and Environmental Physicians (OEPs) work with employers to identify risks before they become problems. With decades of experience, we’ve helped organisations across industries uncover:
- Hidden risks from common health conditions
- Gaps in return-to-work processes
- Physical job demands leading to chronic injuries
- Cultural barriers preventing disclosure or help-seeking
- Compliance risks under emerging WHS guidelines
Whether you’re a large organisation with an in-house health team or a small business unsure where to begin, our team can support you with tailored advice and practical solutions.
Why Proactive Occ Health Makes All the Difference
Making occupational health a proactive part of your OHS strategy can help:
- Improve worker wellbeing
- Reduce absenteeism
- Enhance psychological safety
- Support early intervention and recovery
- Demonstrate a genuine commitment to employee care
- Mitigate long-term risks and legal exposure
It’s Time to Bring Health Back into OHS
Workplace safety and health are two sides of the same coin. If your OHS strategy focuses solely on safety management while neglecting health, you’re only solving half the problem.
Now is the time to give health the attention it deserves—not after a crisis, but before it begins.Start your journey today with the Workplace Occupational Health Audit Tool, and take a confident step towards a safer, healthier workplace. Contact Phoenix Occupational Medicine for more information.
