WELLBEING, HEALTH AND SAFETY
The Department of Health is as committed to ensuring the highest standards of occupational health and safety as it is to other key aspects of its service activities. The following are ways in which the Department of Health aims to protect its employees’ wellbeing.
Wellbeing Plan: The Department has a Wellbeing plan entitled ‘Working for Better Health’ which sets out priorities for improving the health of employees, developing a wellbeing culture in the workplace and supporting staff who are unable to work because of ill health.
Health and Safety Policy: All employees will have a duty to adhere the Department of Health, Health & Safety Policy. Employees are expected to identify and report or deal with unsafe or unhealthy practices and work as a team to prevent them occurring in the first place.
Occupational Health and Safety Service: The Occupational Health and Safety Service (OHSS) provides advice on the health safety and wellbeing of all employees of the Department of Health. The services provided include pre-employment health screening, health surveillance, medical and workplace assessment, plus advice and support for staff who have health problems impacting on their work. The service also provides occupational immunisation for staff. Advice from Occupational Health is confidential, independent and impartial. Referrals to the service are from managers or employees can also self refer for work related health problems. The service is based at Garaghyn Glass, Strang, Braddan, Isle of Man, IM4 4RJ and is open from 08:30hrs to 17:00hrs Monday to Thursday and 08:30hrs to 16:30hrs on Fridays. Most Clinics are held at Garaghyn Glass, with twice monthly clinics at Ramsey District Cottage Hospital on Tuesday afternoons. Appointments can be arranged by telephoning + 44 (0) 1624 642150. The Service is also responsible for developing and monitoring the Department of Health Occupational Health and Safety Management Plan which outlines the Department's health and safety priorities and targets. The Plan, Department Health and Safety Policy and OHSS guidance and policies are all available on the Service intranet site.
Emergency Evacuation: On appointment, employees will be shown and asked to familiarise themselves with fire exits and specific fire evacuation procedures for their place of work.
Drug and Alcohol Strategy: The Drug and Alcohol Policy in the workplace is designed to encourage and promote health, welfare and safety of all employees. It is mainly concerned with substance use which interferes with the staffs’ ability to perform tasks for which they are employed.
Smoking Policy: The Smokefree Policy ensures that all Departments of Health buildings and vehicles are smoke-free. It also protects staff from exposure to second hand smoke while working outside the office, for example during home visits. On appointment, staff should be given details of arrangements regarding smoking outside. Support will be offered to any employee who wishes to give up smoking. Counselling, assistance and literature will be available from the Occupational Health and the Stop Smoking Advisors at the stop smoking service, Quit4You. More information can be found on the Quit4You website (www.quit4you.gov.im)
Staff Welfare: The Staff Welfare Service is based in St George’s Court, Upper Church Street, Douglas. It will provide confidential information, advice, support and counselling services on work and personal issues in order to protect the staff’s health and wellbeing. The Welfare Officers aim to help employees remain as effective as possible at work, offering professional and specialist advice and support services.
Stress: Employees whose personal and work commitments are in conflict are likely to suffer from stress. The Department aims to help its staff achieve a “Work Life Balance” to ensure less stress and higher performance.
