Occupational medicine is the branch of medicine which is concerned with the maintenance of health in the workplace, including prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries, with secondary objectives of maintaining and increasing productivity and social adjustment in the workplace. It is, thus, the branch of clinical medicine active in the field of occupational health and safety.
Dr Nightingale has been offering occupational medical services since completing his training as an Occupational Medical Practitioner at the University of Stellenbosch in 2011. He is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as an Occupational Medical Practitioner and is accredited by the South African Maritime Safety Authority for certification of medical fitness to seafarers and he is registered with the South African Department of Labour as a Designated Medical Practitioner and examiner of South African commercial divers.
Dr Nightingale has offered occupational medical services such as hazard identification and risk assessments to and successfully implemented biological monitoring programs for several industries and companies gaining invaluable experience and knowledge of potential hazards in the work place, diagnosing and treating occupational diseases, incapacity management and managing health service delivery. Request a quotation
Dr Nightingale offers the following occupational medical services:
- Performing risk assessments To comply to the legal requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act a company must first identify the possible hazards and health risks that all workers are exposed to in the work place by doing a Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment.
- Planning and implementing medical screening programs Medical screening programs consist of risk-based medical evaluations such as solvent medicals to detect early signs of possible occupational disease.
- Planning and implementing biological monitoring programs Biological monitoring programs consist of risk-based analytical chemistry to measure the body burden of toxic chemical compounds, elements, or their metabolites, in workers exposed to hazardous chemical substances such as pesticides or poisons. Biological monitoring is compulsory in workers who may be exposed to substances listed in Table III of the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Substances.
- Performing medical evaluations (including visual acuity testing) Dr Nightingale strives to empower organisations by offering a broad range of medical assessments such as pre-employment, periodic, fitness to work and exit medicals as prescribed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations. This includes medical evaluations as prescribed by the Construction Regulations 2014 and completing Annexure 3 of the regulations.
- Serving as a mentor to occupational health nurses or other health care staff Dr Nightingale develops partnerships with occupational health nurses or other health care staff through which knowledge, skills, information and perspective is shared. This allows an opportunity for collaboration, goal achievement and problem-solving.
- Authorizing occupational health nurses to perform activities Authorization for Occupational Health Nurses to examine workers, make diagnosis and prescribe treatment must be issued by a doctor who provides Occupational Medical Services.
- Drawing up treatment protocols for use by occupational health nurses Occupational Health Nurses must have access to diagnostic and therapeutic protocols for the conditions for which authorization has been issued.
- Planning and implementing emergency care systems Effective emergency care systems improve the outcome of injuries or medical emergencies at the work-place which in turn allows workers to return to work sooner.
- Specialist referrals Dr Nightingale consults with or refers to relevant specialists when required
- Assisting in planning health education programs Health education is the principle by which workers learn to behave in a manner conducive to the promotion, maintenance, or restoration of health and a healthy worker is a productive worker.
- Advising on planning and organising shifts and work The design of shift rosters must be sensitive to the impact of these rosters on workers and their families as prescribed by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
- Facilitating rehabilitation of employees with impaired function in the work place Commitment to rehabilitation means returning to work quickly and safely, less time spent recovering from your injury, reduced level of impairment, less disruption impacting production, reduced staff turnover, improved staff morale, minimised retraining expenses and reduced claim costs and impact on premium.
- Occupational medico-legal services (especially linked to incapacities) Dr Nightingale provides objective medico-legal services and advice regarding primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of occupational injuries and disease.
- Assisting in managing occupational health services Managing the spectrum of staff related risks in the workplace enables an organization to control insurance costs and increase performance and productivity.
- Assisting in drafting occupational health related policies Dr Nightingale can assist in developing and improving programs and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. This will provide a healthy and safe working environment to prevent accidents and injury to health arising from the course of work by minimizing, so far as is reasonably practicable, the causes of hazards inherent in the working environment.
- Health promotion Health promotion in a work place increases productivity by keeping workers healthy and on the job.
- Lung function testing Workers who are exposed to possible respiratory irritants, sensitisers or fibrogenic agents should receive lung function testing as prescribed by the Hazardous Chemical Substances Regulations.
- Audiometric testing (baseline, screening and exit) Workers who are exposed to noise at or above 8-hour noise rating level of 85dB must receive audiometric testing as prescribed by the Noise Induced Hearing Loss Regulations.
- Primary medical care Access to on site primary health care services reduces unnecessary absenteeism due to minor ailments. Primary health care services include check-ups, health screenings, laboratory tests, dermatologic care and treatment, cryotherapy, minor outpatient surgery, pregnancy testing, nebulisations, health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, counselling, patient education and diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses.
- Executive medicals Executive health assessments and management services for high performing individuals and corporate clients. These comprehensive assessments evaluate your current health, your health risks and what you can do to reduce the likelihood of developing preventable problems in the future.
Dr Nightingale has offered occupational medical services to the following companies:
Agriculture, Landscaping Wine and Spirits Industry
KWV, Anthonij Rupert Wines (L’Ormarins), Grande Provence Wine Estate, Glen Carlou, Backsburg Wine Estate, La Motte Wine Estate, Boland Cellar, Diemersfontein, Douglas Green Wines, IC Rust Boerdery, Hoogstede farmstead, Honeydew, Glenwood, Vineyard, Imbuko Wines, Anura Vineyards, Gawie Rossouw Trust, Cape Fruit Processors (Pty) Ltd, Eurafruit Local (Pty) Ltd, Greenplanet landscaping, Fast Fell, Fred’s Tree Services
Cleaning and Waste Management Industry
Super Care Service Group, Averda
Construction Industry
High Voltage Technology, Indolek, Zereba Electric, Groenland verwe, Colour Concepts CC, CSV Construction, Ikageng Construction(Pty) LTD, Genesis Construction, G P E Farm (Pty) Ltd, Greenway interiors, Grinstead Plumbing CC, G&L Decorators and Renovators, CN Civils, Comservice Solutions SA (Pty) Ltd
Engineering-, Panel Beating- and Automotive Industry
Graham Spray Works, Gateway Metalworks CC, Paarlberg Sweisdienste, Cape Heat Exchange, Qualipak CC, Actom Alpha Civils
Food and Beverage Industry
AB InBev SAB Maltings, Tongaat Hulett Starch, Tiger Foods, The Red Espresso Company (Pty) Ltd
Government
Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, South African Police Service
Grain- and Feed Industry
Meadow Feeds, Profile Feeds (Pty) Ltd, YARA, KK Animal Nutrition (Pty) Ltd
Packaging Industry
Mpact, Stellenpak, Filmatic Packaging Systems, Nampak
Printing Industry
Paarl Media, Paarl Labels, MCC Global Label Solutions, Boland Drukpers
Textile Industry
Berg River Textiles, Mossop Western Leathers