A fresh perspective on an integrated occupational health and wellness solution... Universal Occupational Health Workerplan

Transcription

1 A fresh perspective on an integrated occupational health and wellness solution... Universal Occupational Health Workerplan

2 Occupational Health and Wellness Universal Occupational Health offers a range of modular, flexible products and services designed to meet your specific workplace health and wellness requirements, whatever they may be. We assist in the development and implementation of occupational health solutions and strategies with the ultimate aim of ensuring legal compliance whilst looking after the health of your greatest asset - your workforce. The following products and services are available from Universal Occupational Health: Our Universal Occupatiional Health Solutiion Toolbox and health talks Universal WorkerPlan Emergency assistance and first-aiders management CLINIC Primary healthcare and travel medicine Mobile clinics Injuries on duty management Medical surveillance and ongoing audits Consultiing services Collaboration with existing medical services Tuberculosis and HIV management Management of medical personnel CLINIC On-site clinics 1

3 Universal WorkerPlan The competitive edge If you think there is no escape from the low rates of productivity caused by employee health issues in your organisation, think again. Get the competitive edge with Universal WorkerPlan a uniquely tailored, comprehensive, modular occupational health and wellness product and service offering. WorkerPlan is an exclusively tailored off-site occupational health and worker wellness service provided by the Occupational Health division of Universal Healthcare. Real solutions for worker wellness Specifically created to meet the needs of the South African labour market, Universal WorkerPlan provides cost-effective, flexible occupational health and worker wellness solutions to employers in all sectors, be they in the security, commercial, retail, industrial or mining sectors and whether large or small. Say goodbye to your compliance woes No employer should be without WorkerPlan - an effective tool for managing full compliance with occupational health and other legislative requirements, including: The Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 85 of 1993 ( OHSA ) The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Disease Act No. 130 of 1993 ( COIDA ) The Mine Health and Safety Act No. 29 of 1996 ( the Mines act ) The Occupational Disease in Mines and Works Act No. 78 of 1973 The product is designed to assist employers with meeting corporate governance obligations while enhancing workplace productivity through reduced absenteeism. 2

4 Benefits to the employer Universal WorkerPlan offers a range of financial, business practice and workplace health benefits to the employer. Financial affordability and tax effectiveness Financial benefits include an affordable occupational healthcare solution which is fully tax deductable, enabling the employer to claim it as an operating expense. VAT can also be claimed back from every expense incurred. All unused surplus funds are returned to the employer s account at the end of the contract period, resulting in reduced business costs and positive return on investment. Business practice In terms of business practice, risk is mitigated for the employer. It increases value as a socially responsible business, and enhances brand image as an employer of choice. Positive workplace perceptions The employee has positive perceptions and experiences, which result in improved commitment, productivity and morale, thus building a more competent, healthier workforce. Additional employer benefits include: Compliance with occupational health legislation Reduced worker absenteeism Improved workforce productivity Better cost management Staff retention, resulting in lower recruitment and staff training costs Improved employee morale, workplace health and employee wellness Creating goodwill with formalised labour and trade unions Employee services Universal WorkerPlan offers access to the large, stable and growing Universal Healthcare Provider Network, which includes medical and occupational health practitioners, medicines, radiology, pathology, dentistry, optometry and HIV services. Through facilitated access to these services the risk of developing disabling or life threatening diseases, and dealing with the associated costs thereof, is reduced, thus improving quality of life. WorkerPlan is an occupational health service paid for by the employer, and there is therefore no fringe benefit tax implication for employees. 3

5 Universal WorkerPlan options WorkerPlan offers three affordable, pre-packaged occupational health and worker wellness plans to meet the health and wellness needs of employees. WorkerPlan truvalue WorkerPlan truhealth WorkerPlan truwellness A basic option providing facilitated occupational health assessments by qualified medical practitioners; facilitated access to specified diagnostic procedures such as X-rays and blood tests; access to medicines for acute illnesses if required, including over-the-counter medicines; and wellness education for optimal employee occupational health and wellness. All the benefits of the truvalue Plan as well as facilitated access to additional occupational healthcare services including an annual dental wellness assessment and basic dental treatment comprising fillings, extractions and dentures; an optometric wellness assessment with single vision or bifocal spectacles every second year; medicine for the treatment of specified chronic conditions and telephonic counselling for emotional wellbeing issues. This option offers all the benefits of the truhealth Plan as well as facilitated access to comprehensive HIV/AIDS benefits and disease management support, including antiretroviral medicines. 4

6 WorkerPlan services per plan Employees will have immediate access to the following occupational health and worker wellness services: Service truvalue truhealth truwellness Identification and management of work-related health risks, including physical, chemical, biological and psychological factors: Physical factors: Exposure to excessive noise levels and radiation, repetitive motion, lifting e.g. Raynaud s phenomenon Chemical factors: Exposure to metal and related substances e.g. lead poisoning Biological factors: Biological hazards (viral and bacterial infections) Psychological factors: Continuous shift work and stress e.g. post traumatic stress disorder Access to selected medical practitioners on the Universal Provider Network whenever employees are ill Medicines to treat illness, injury and exposure to occupational hazards: Acute medication upon diagnosis by the selected Universal Network provider Over-the-counter medication Chronic medication to treat specified conditions Pathology (subject to a list of tests) to identify illness, injury and exposure to occupational hazards X-rays to identify illness, injury and exposure to occupational hazards Maternity service. Two scans per pregnancy at a Universal Network medical practitioner. Additional ultrasound for complicated pregnancy to be motivated Annual flu vaccination at DSP, protocol apply Medical practitioner s referral to state hospital Access to Universal Provider Network of dentists and dental therapists for an annual dental wellness examination and preventative care (including scaling and polishing), fillings and extractions Access to Universal Provider Network of optometrists for eye examination and spectacles (single vision and bifocal lenses) every 24 months Facilitated provision of comprehensive HIV/AIDS services, including voluntary counselling and testing, monitoring, specified antiretroviral medication and disease management support Unlimited telephonic councelling for emotional wellbeing issues from the Universal Employee Wellness Programme (EWP) Care Centre. Access through a toll free number. 5

7 Universal Network healthcare service providers National footprint Universal has one of the largest individually contracted healthcare provider networks in urban and rural areas in South Africa. These medical practitioners, pharmacies, dentists and optometrists are contracted to Universal to provide the employees of our clients with specified occupational health and medical services at negotiated fees. Provider search functionality Search for your nearest provider using the Universal Provider Network geo-mapping tool. Employees can also phone the Universal call centre on to find a conveniently situated provider. Out-of-network visits Employees must always visit their selected Universal medical practitioner. The employee is entitled to visit a medical practitioner outside of the nominated and identified network in exceptional circumstances up to twice a year, such as when they are out of town and cannot reach their selected medical practitioner. The rationale for marshalling employees in this manner is to ensure that effective surveillance is achieved over employee health and wellness, including absenteeism management. Innovative and efficient network management Network management is based on international best practice and scientific protocols and formularies. WorkerPlan take-on and implementation Universal prides itself in seamless electronic take-on. Implementation includes communication, on-site education and the provision of welcome packs to the employees. WorkerPlan reports Employers have 24/7 access to a web-based, real-time information dashboard that provides their demographic information as well as the utilisation profile of the various services. Need a quote? Then contact us at: or workerplan@universal.co.za 6

8 Comprehensive occupational health and wellness services The Universal Occupational Health solution is designed to assist all employers across the board, be they in the commercial, industrial, construction or mining sectors and whether large or small. A fully comprehensive occupational health service requires careful management this is where we come in, assisting your organisation every step of the way to ensure your employees have access to the most effective programme possible. Step 1 Starting Level Assessment of occupational health needs Advice on occupational health requirements Step 3 Standard Service Mobile or on-site solution with occupational health programme including: An occupational safety and environmental programme An occupational hygiene programme Medical surveillance programme Step 2 Basic Service Mobile or on-site solution with a program that includes: Primary healthcare Medical surveillance Emergency and injury on duty management services Step 4 Comprehensive Service An integrated service including all the aspects of an occupational health programme: Primary healthcare Occupational health Chronic monitoring of employees e.g. tuberculosis and diabetes Employee wellness Objectives of Universal Occupational Health and Wellness To identify as early as possible any adverse health effects caused by work practices or exposures to potential hazards To detect and prevent possible occupational diseases To manage and monitor the health of a chronically ill worker and employees with an occupational health disease in the work environment To conduct ongoing medical surveillance in the workplace as well as analysis, interpretation and feedback of systematically collected data To implement an occupational health programme to reduce occupational health risks 7

9 Mobile and on-site clinics Universal Occupational Health services are not only responsible for the identification and evaluation of potential risks for the health of workers but also for providing advice on preventative and control measures aimed at risk avoidance. Each point of contact with workers offers an opportunity to provide them with useful information and to encourage safe and healthy behaviour practises in the workplace. Monitoring & assessment Initiatives Action Evaluation Fit for work Baseline medical information Mobile clinics Identifying occupational health risks Prevention and control measures Training First aid and emergency services Injuries on duty management Do the services still address the needs of the organisation? Are the services effective in preventing occupational health injuries and diseases? Ongoing communication and monthly reporting For those enterprises where a full-time on-site service may not be feasible, our mobile care plan is the ideal solution. With this costeffective option the required healthcare services come to your business premises, as and when needed, ensuring easy access for employees. Universal Occupational Health assists employers in various ways: Compliance with legislative requirements Obtaining measurable cost savings Ensuring minimal downtime of employees Occupational health risk assessment and management including medical surveillance By taking advantage of our mobile clinics, employees can: Consult with an occupational nursing practitioner or occupational health medical practitioner to obtain occupational health and primary healthcare services Receive medication for acute or chronic conditions Services: Primary healthcare services Acute primary healthcare management Dispensing of medicines up to Schedule 4 drugs Disease management e.g. asthma, hypertension and diabetes Wellness and educational programmes First aiders management and training Emergency services and evacuation of a patient Occupational health Occupational health risk assessments Employee medical examinations Medical surveillance programme Management of occupational health programme Injury on duty management Education and training on occupational health 8

10 On-site clinics The on-site care plan is convenience in a nutshell, catering for the requirements of larger employers operating from a single workplace. This fully outsourced and managed service provides immediate on-site occupational health services at your premises, saving time spent away from work by employees seeking medical attention elsewhere. Universal Occupational Health assists employers in various ways: Compliance with legislative requirements Obtaining measurable cost savings Employee health improvement Chronic disease management in the workplace e.g. hypertension, diabetes and asthma Occupational health management including medical surveillance and biological monitoring Workers compensation management Enrolment and management of care of employees on the HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis programme Collaboration with local medical facilities By taking advantage of our on-site clinics, employees can: Consult with an occupational health nursing practitioner or occupational health medical practitioner to obtain occupational health and primary healthcare services Address and continuously monitor their conditions Receive medication on-site Services: Primary healthcare services Acute primary healthcare management Dispensing of medicines up to Schedule 4 drugs Disease management e.g. asthma, hypertension and diabetes Wellness and educational programmes First aiders management and training Emergency services and evacuation of a patient Occupational health Occupational health risk assessments Employee medical examinations Medical surveillance programme Management of occupational health programme Injury on duty management Education and training on occupational health Assist with emergency and disaster plan in the work area Travel medicine Travel health risks are determined by a number of different factors, including destination, itinerary, duration of journey and medical history of the traveller and client requirements. Universal can provide your organisation with the following for those staff members and their families (if required), who travel for your business: Up to date information with regards to disease outbreaks Vaccines and malaria medication Specialised medical kits for travelling, such as executive kits and malaria kits Country specific disease profile information Travel medicine talks Emergency business cards for expat travellers 9

11 Consulting Services Universal Occupational Health will facilitate and assist with occupational hygiene surveys required in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (No. 85 of 1993) and regulations. These services include: Occupational health risk assessments The Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993 makes provision under regulations where the employer is required to carry out regular risk assessments and implement control measures to eliminate or minimise the risk. This is a systematic procedure to identify potential hazards, evaluate exposure to hazards and to establish the need or effectiveness of control measures. The risk assessment will also assist with occupational hygiene monitoring and developing medical surveillance programmes. Illumination survey The Environmental Regulations for Workplaces under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993 stipulates that all workplaces should be illuminated in accordance with the minimum illuminance values laid out in the Schedule to these regulations. Accepted practice indicates that the illumination survey should be performed every two years or when changes to installations occur. Noise assessment The Noise-induced Hearing Loss Regulations of 2003 stipulate the health and safety standards that apply to all employers and workers who are exposed to noise. An assessment will determine any risk from exposure to noise associated with the workplace in order to identify the steps that need to be taken to remove, reduce or control such a hazard. discusses the ventilation guidelines that employers need to adhere to. Ventilation is defined as the supply of fresh air and the removal of contaminated air. Therefore ventilation should be effective to ensure a healthy and safe workplace. Air monitoring is required when there is: A concern of inhalation of hazardous chemical substances (Hazardous Chemical Substances Regulation) Exposure to asbestos fibres (Asbestos Regulations) Exposure to airborne lead (Lead Regulations) Ergonomic risk assessment This assessment will assist to identify ergonomic risks in the workplace, for example hand arm vibration syndrome and computer workstation ergonomics. An ergonomically sound work environment can have a direct impact on the productivity of a company s workforce, and thus also effects profitability. Hazardous chemical substances assessment In order to identify employee exposure to hazardous chemical substances, an evaluation of environmental factors is conducted. Compliance is evaluated against South African legislation (Occupational Health and in particular the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Substances). Asbestos management Although asbestos has been banned in South Africa, many older buildings may contain the substance. Asbestos can be found in roofs, gutters, ceiling tiles and insulation tiles, to mention but a few. The asbestos regulation requires that steps are taken to ensure the asbestos is identified and that potential exposure is prevented or adequately controlled. Only registered asbestos contractors may carry out demolition work. Only approved companies may dispose of asbestos and in the correct manner. Ventilation and indoor air quality survey Indoor air quality involves the quality and quantity of air provided to a working environment. The Environmental Regulations for Workplaces, Occupational Health and Safety Act (85 of 1993) 10

12 Contact us Web: / Tel: / Fax: WorkerPlan: workerplan@universal.co.za, Occupational Health Services: occhealth@universal.co.za Physical Address: Universal Place, 19 Tambach Road, Sunninghill Park, 2191 / Postal Address: PO Box 1411, Rivonia, 2128