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11 June 2025Webinar
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) for Occupational Health Technicians & Nurses
Wednesday 11th June - Birmingham
Course tutor: Dr Roger Cooke, consultant in occupational medicine, and a leading expert in hand–arm vibration syndrome
Are you getting started in HAVS? Do you want to improve your confidence, knowledge and skills? For OH technicians and screening nurses with no prior knowledge of HAVS, this new introductory course may meet your needs.
Join The At Work Partnership for this face-to-face one-day training course that provides a solid introduction and significant background knowledge on HAVS to assist OH technicians and screening nurses in their role undertaking delegated tasks for statutory health surveillance.
Course testimonial from previous delegate
“A very worthwhile day, providing informative and relevant content, delivered in an interesting way that will enhance practice” – Occupational Health Nurse
How will attending this training benefit you?
You will gain:
• Detailed background knowledge of hand-transmitted vibration, its health effects and symptoms
• An understanding of your role in undertaking delegated tasks for statutory health surveillance at Tiers 1, 2 or 3, and how you can work under supervision to assist suitably qualified occupational health staff
• Comprehension of the legal requirements relevant for workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration
• Hands-on, practical experience of how to conduct different assessments for HAVS
• Improved confidence in your HAVS knowledge and skills
Who is the training designed for?
This training is designed for OH technicians and screening nurses that are new to HAVS (little or no experience). Previous experience of HAVS is not essential, but experience in OH is required.
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11 June 2025Webinar
4pm BST (3 p.m. GMT, 11 a.m. EDT)
Find your local time here.FREE for ALL (please log in on the SOM website first).
The Global Occupational Safety and Health Coalition (GOSH) was formed in 2024 by key global occupational health and safety organizations to address the critical gap in attention to workplace health and safety, a gap that has widened this year with major cuts to global health funding. In this webinar, GOSH members will discuss our goals and how we can collectively advocate for a higher global priority on worker health.
Advocacy is a deliberate process of using evidence and knowledge to influence decision-makers and public opinion, leading to better health outcomes. Through advocacy, health professionals and organizations can foster policies prioritizing occupational health and sustainable well-being, ensuring these issues remain central to global and national agendas. Advocacy is essential to creating healthier workplaces:
1. At a country level to protect Workers' Rights and Well-being, following ILO conventions.
2. At a global level, to ensure international health and economic organizations prioritize workers’ health.
This webinar will cover the following:
- A global alliance for occupational health advocacy – GOSH. Marianne Levitsky – 10 mins
- Occupational Health advocacy leverage points – the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ILO Conventions – Nancy Wilk (President of IOHA) 10 mins
- What does this mean in practice ? The example of Southern Africa – Dr Dingani Moyo – 15 mins
- Advocacy tactics and theory of change – a discussion facilitated by Nick Pahl – 25 mins
- Next steps - further regional advocacy webinars and close.Download the advocacy toolkit here
Learn more about GOSH and our Call to Action on Worker Health & Safety here
Chair: Nick Pahl, CEO
By registering for this webinar, I agree that my personal data will be used so that the SOM can contact me regarding activities of the Global Occupational Safety and Health Coalition.
FREE for ALL. You will then be sent the joining link.
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12 June 2025London
Lungs At Work: Keeping Up To Date 2025
Thursday 12th June at the National Heart and Lung Institute, London
The Lungs at Work team invite you to attend this one day update event on occupational lung disease. Past events have been a huge success and a unique opportunity to share updates on current and emerging issues in occupational lung disease and engage in discussions with other occupational and respiratory healthcare specialists. Topics covered will include:
- Case studies relevant to your practice
- Update in lung function testing
- Changes in asthma management
- Silicosis in the UK – an emerging epidemic
- An insight into immunology and allergies
- Featured talk from renowned sleep specialist, Dr Alanna HareThe event is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians for 5 CPD points.
View poster here and programme here.
Reserve your place here.
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20 June 2025Webinar
Occupational Health Consultations
Friday 20th June, A Virtual Event
OH consultations are at the heart of an occupational health professional’s work. The At Work Partnership is delighted to announce the new date for their one-day course designed to help OH professionals enhance their consultation skills.
Join The At Work Partnership for an essential day of training looking at how a skilled consultation can help move a case forward, how to manage difficult consultations and ensure that legal, ethical and quality requirements are met. The day includes a focus on the communication and interpersonal skills that are required for effective OH consultations.
The course will be led by a team of specialists in occupational health and consultation techniques, including Dr Nerys Williams, independent OH physician; Dr Clare Fernandes, Haleon; Carolyn Graham, mediator & conflict coach; Prof Diana Kloss, barrister and Sharon Wilday, consultant cognitive behavioural psychotherapist.
The training aims to teach you to:
- Understand the aims of the OH consultation in terms of moving the case forward
- Set up and prepare for effective OH consultations, and understand how to audit and improve these
- How to develop your communication and interpersonal skills that are required for effective OH consultations – including establishing rapport, information gathering, listening and questioning skills, and an introduction to motivational interviewing and coaching techniques.
- Know your legal responsibilities – and the nuances of the unique role of the OH professional – in fulfilling your obligations to both the employee and the employer
- Get the most of your OH consultations whether face to face, telephone or video/onlineSPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE!
EARLY BIRD RATE OFFER: Book and pay before 2 May 2025 and save £70 + VAT!
Self-funded rates available and special rates for those who attended an At Work Partnership OH Report Writing course from 2021 onwards!Don’t miss out – Book your place online now! Click here for full course details and to book online.
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24 June 2025Webinar
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website first).
Session details:
This is and exclusive webinar for SOM by Professor Diana Kloss and free for SOM members.
In April 2025 the Supreme Court decided that the words ‘man’ and ‘woman’ in the Equality Act refer to biological sex. This clarified a long running debate about the duty of employers to provide single sex toilets and changing facilities and about the provision of medical care and counselling. It does not remove legal protection from those undergoing or having undergone gender reassignment, which is a protected characteristic. This webinar will outline the main effects of the Supreme Court decision as regards employment.
Speaker bio:Professor Diana Kloss is a practising barrister, former employment tribunal judge and Hon. Senior Lecturer in the University of Manchester. She was awarded the MBE for services to occupational health, is Hon FFOM and is Hon President of the Council for Work and Health. Diana is the author of Occupational Health at Work, 6th edition, and writes a regular legal column in Occupational Health at Work.
Chair: Professor Anne HarrissFREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website). You will then be sent the join link.
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01 July 2025London
Introduction to Occupational Health
Tuesday 1st July, 2:00-4:45pm
Open to all. This is an online event.
An afternoon for clinicians and students interested in understanding more about what Occupational Health is and the OH specialisms involved (find out more here: https://www.som.org.uk/careers)
2pm - Welcome & Introduction
Nick Pahl, SOM CEO
Dr Richard Peters, Chief Medical Officer/Honorary Clinical Associate Professor
2.10pm - What is Occupational Health?
Dr Kaveh Asanati, SOM Education Panel Lead
Q&A
2.45pm - Case studies
Medical – Dr Lara Shemtob, SOM Strategic Policy Adviser and Dr Lucy Wright, SOM Board member
Nursing – Chris Rhodes, Health Partners
AHPs – Jo Vallom-Smith
Q&A
3.30pm - Occupational Health - Clinical 101
Dr Jacqueline Thompson, Medigold. To cover:
Common OH Issues: physical and mental health, including specific occupational diseases.
OH Strategies and Interventions including workplace prevention and health promotion.
Q&A
4pm - How to get in!
Nursing routes - Chris Rhodes
Medical routes - Dr Kaveh Asanati
AHP routes - Jo Vallom-Smith
4.25 - Q&A and Wrap-Up and further resources e.g. mentoring, jobs, shadowing
Janet O'Neill, National School of Occupational Health
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02 July 2025S Wales and W of England
FOR SOM MEMBERS ONLY £15
We have secured a tour and tasting visit to Thatchers Cider Mill on Wed 2nd July 2025 at 2PM. They have been producing cider on this site for 119 years! The tour will last approx. 2 hours; it includes the working mill and packaging hall. At the end of the tour, you’ll get the chance to sample some Somerset Ciders.
Spaces are limited to the first 14 SOM members to book on.
You can find out more online here https://www.thatcherscider.co.uk/myrtle-farm/cider-tours/
Photos can be taken outside but not inside. Unfortunately, Thatchers do not have any OH on site, but our tour guide will do his best to answer any questions you may have.
The company has around 270 employees in total, and on the operational side around 120. They operate 24 hours a day.
SOM Members ONLY. If you are not a member, please join here https://www.som.org.uk/membership
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02 July 2025Webinar
FREE for ALL (please log in on the SOM website first).
Summary of webinar:
As women’s and reproductive health becomes a growing focus for workplace wellbeing, Occupational Health professionals are uniquely placed to lead the way – supporting individuals, advising employers, and shaping more inclusive, productive working environments.
This essential session will share the latest evidence, highlight emerging challenges and explore how OH can help employers respond with confidence, care and clarity.
Why now?New research underscores the impact of menstrual health, menopause, fertility and pregnancy loss on workforce participation and progression – with wider implications for long-term health, including bone health and chronic conditions. With an ageing workforce and increasing expectations on employers, the need for proactive, joined-up support has never been greater.
Key topics:
• Women’s health as a workforce issue: Understanding how reproductive health intersects with attendance, performance and retention and the critical role OH plays in early intervention and support.
• Insights from new research: A spotlight on the latest findings from the CIPD and SOM briefing and what they mean for OH practice.
• Long-term health and an ageing workforce: How women’s health is shaping workplace needs and how can organisations and OH get ready.
• What meaningful support looks like: From risk assessments and workplace adjustments to upskilling line managers and guiding policy, how OH can drive evidence-based, person-centred approaches.
• Taking a lifecycle view: The opportunity for OH to support women’s health at every stage and influence strategic planning, not just reactive care.Presenter bio:
Deborah Garlick, CEO of the award-winning Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace and founder of Henpicked.net, has been instrumental in advancing menopause and menstruation awareness and support since 2016. Her team has guided thousands of employers in implementing essential training and policies. In 2023, Deborah expanded her mission globally, co-founding Menopause Friendly Australia and partnering with MiDOViA in the US. She established Menopause Friendly Accreditation and received an award from the BSI for helping create menopause and menstruation guidance, setting new workplace inclusivity standards.
Through the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards and comprehensive training programs, Deborah celebrates and equips organisations to create supportive environments. As a prominent advocate, she frequently shares her insights in the media and through her book, Menopause: The Change for the Better, published by Bloomsbury. Deborah remains a leading force in promoting workplace inclusivity for menopausal and menstruating individuals worldwide.
Chair: Emma Persand
FREE for ALL. You will then be sent the joining link.
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07 July 2025Webinar
Introductory course from The At Work Partnership
Foundation Course in Occupational Health
Monday 7th – Tuesday 8th July 2025 - A Two-Day Virtual Event
Chaired by Sandra Winters, Independent specialist (OH) practitioner
“Interesting, engaging, very informative, very relevant and one of the best foundation courses I have attended in my 20 years career as a nurse” – Occupational Health Nurse
The At Work Partnership is pleased to announce the new dates for this introductory course focusing on the fundamental principles of occupational health. Specifically designed to fast-track your knowledge and understanding of OH, the course will help you develop your professional abilities and maximise your contribution to your occupational health team. It will also be valuable for those planning further study in the field.
Taking place virtually over two in-depth study days, the course will guide delegates through some of the most important concepts in occupational health, including developing your legal and ethical knowledge, taking an evidence-based approach to fitness for work, sickness absence, disability and more!
Delegates will be taught by an expert team of tutors, with a wealth of invaluable occupational health knowledge, including course chair, Sandra Winters (Organisational Wellbeing), Dr John Ballard (Occupational Health [at Work] journal), Prof Diana Kloss (barrister), Dr Simon Sheard (Health Partners Group) and Susan Gee (Yorkshire Water).
For further details on the programme, view the course brochure and visit the event page at the website link below.
If you have any questions about the course, email conferences@atworkpartnership.co.uk
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE
Book and pay by 19th May and save up to £50 + VAT
Self-funded delegates from only £425 + VAT
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25 July 2025Webinar
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website first).
Session details:
Occupational stress remains a leading cause of work-related ill health, yet a recent survey by Occupational Health Assessments highlighted that many employers still struggle to implement effective stress risk assessments.
Occupational Health professionals are well-placed to support employers in meet their legal duties and improve working conditions that protect wellbeing.Chaired by Amy McKeown, Professor Jo Yarker, Registered Occupational Psychologist and Managing Partner at Affinity Health at Work, will explore how OH teams can:
• Take a proactive role in shaping and delivering effective stress risk assessments
• Support employers to meet HSE requirements through practical, people-centred approaches
• Navigate common challenges and build buy-in across the organisation
• Draw on what works – and what doesn’t – to embed lasting improvementsDrawing on extensive consultancy and research experience, Jo will share practical strategies and tools that empower OH to drive meaningful change.
Speaker:
Professor Jo Yarker, Managing Partner at Affinity Health at Work and Professor of Occupational Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London.
Jo is a Registered and Chartered Occupational Psychologist, Managing Partner at Affinity Health at Work, and Professor of Occupational Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London. Her work focuses on supporting healthy, sustainable work for all, particularly how we design work, lead teams, and support people during periods of challenge or change. Jo has led research for the Medical Protection Society, Acas, the World Health Organization, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and currently leads Project OSCAR (Occupational Stress Consultation and Research) funded by the Health at Safety Excutive. She works closely with organisations, policy makers, and professional bodies to translate research into practical solutions.Chair bio:
Amy McKeown is an Organisational Strategist and Consultant working at the intersection of leadership, culture, systems, and health, helping leaders and organisations cut through complexity to create change that lasts. Amy has helped multinationals, FTSE 100s, international governments, SMEs and start-ups transform strategy into practical outcomes and solutions that work. She is an internationally recognised leader in workplace health, mental health, and women’s health (with 20+ years working at the highest levels). Her workplace mental health framework was adopted by the World Health Organisation as its own. Amy offers something truly rare: A cross-industry, cross-sector, and cross-cultural perspective built over two decades of hands-on experience in differing roles and viewpoints (a health provider, in-house corporate lead, and an external consultant). She is the creator of ‘Do Workplace Health Right’—a leading international course on strategic workplace mental health and wellbeing.
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website). You will then be sent the join link.