Perception of Workers ʼ Compensation and Occupational Health Prevention of Occupational Health Managers：An Interview Study

• Main Authors: Yun-Zhu Xia, 夏韻筑
• Other Authors: Yawen Cheng
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2019
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/79dq3f

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 健康政策與管理研究所 === 107 === Background and purpose: Occupational health managers play an important role in occupational health system. However, they often face pressures from both the employer and the workers. They are the mediators in the return-to-wok process of injured workers, and also the initiators of workplace promotion activities, thus may face pressure from different sources. This study was designed to explore their work conditions, difficulties encountered at work and potential role conflicts, as well as their attitudes toward the prevention and compensation of overwork-related occupational diseases. METHODS: This study collected data through semi-structured interviews. A total of 14 occupational health managers (including occupational health nurse, occupational health and safety professional, and health management consultants) were interviewed. RESULTS: The study was divided into the following five themes. The first theme was about the position of the occupational health managers in the workplace. Findings showed that their functions were influenced by corporate culture and management system. The second theme was about their evaluation of workers’ health in their company. It was found that two occupational health managers considered their workers had good health, one considered their workers had fair health, while the rest considered their workers had poor health. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes were the main health concerns mentioned by all the occupational health managers. The third theme was about the types of occupational injuries. All of the interviewed occupational health managers mentioned the occurrence of commuting injuries and traffic accidents occurring during working hours. According to the type of industry, they also have industry-specific occupational injuries. The fourth theme was about the utilization of general sickness benefits and workers’ compensation sickness benefits. This part was further divided into three sub-sections, including: their views on the appropriateness of workers’ application, disputes concerning the application of sickness leave and return to work, and their views specific on over-work related health problems. The fifth theme was about workplace health promotion activities they promoted and obstacles they encountered. The most commonly held workplace health promotion activities were weight loss and exercise programs. Lack of supervisors’ support, lack of active participation of employees, and lack of financial resources were cited as major obstacles. Conclusion: Difficulties faced by occupational health managers of enterprises were closely related to the corporate culture and management system, and were also related to their own perception of the work role and legal framework and policies.