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08 December 2025Webinar
FREE for ALL (please log in on the SOM website first).
Summary of webinar:
What is Universal Design?
Universal Design (UD) is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability. (Centre for Excellence in Universal Design).
It's not about retrofitting solutions for a few; it's about designing spaces where inclusion is simply built in from the start.Why This Matters for Your Workplace
As Occupational Therapists, we bring a unique superpower to the table: we see the whole picture. We understand that workplaces aren't just physical spaces—they're dynamic interactions between people, their environments, and the work they do. Our training in assessing and treating physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges, combined with our expertise in human engagement and participation, allows us to craft nuanced, practical solutions to workplace challenges both common and wonderfully unusual.What You'll Discover in This Webinar
This webinar will unpack the concept of Universal Design in the context of the workplace and explore the impact of a universally designed environment on workplace wellbeing, inclusion and productivity. You'll learn how thoughtfully designed environments create better experiences for everyone.The Universal Design Advantage
The best part is when you design universally, you're not just accommodating—you're elevating. Universal Design reduces the need for individualized reasonable accommodations by making participation easier for everyone. This means broader engagement, stronger inclusion, and more people thriving at work. Universal Design does not remove the need for specific accommodations for individuals with identified needs —UD works alongside them, not instead of them.Leave Empowered
Walk away from this session equipped with:
•A clear, practical understanding of Universal Design principles
•Real, actionable strategies to influence inclusion, equality, and participation in your workplace
•A roadmap to resources and ongoing support for implementationPresenter bios:
Linda Horgan has over 35 years as an Occupational Therapist internationally, working with diverse populations including mental health, disabilities, and neurodivergent individuals.
In 2001 Linda opened her own private practice, specializing in accessible and universal design for built environments, home therapy, and fitness-to-drive assessments. The company has since expanded to cater for adults in private, corporate, state and 3rd level institutions, providing assessments and practical solutions to allow people live better tomorrow’s today.Some of Linda’s key achievements include; designed neurodivergent-supportive spaces, developed UCC's universal design guidance, edited Ireland's Housing Design Guidelines for Occupational Therapists (2019), a UCC Teaching Excellence Award, Venice Biennale 2021, and an Eli-Lilly Global Health Service Award.
Sue Knight is a Senior Occupational Therapist with over 18 years’ experience in the areas of Mental Health and Wellness. Much of her early career was centred in acute psychiatry and in-patient group work. Over the years Sue has developed a special interest in supporting adult clients who identify as neurodivergent.
Sue divides her time between clinical work, supporting the id+ Futures program at UCC, delivering training workshops and providing clinical supervision.
Sue supports clients, their supervisors and their employers in working towards inclusion in the workplace. She is passionate about engaging with adults in their work environments where small changes have the potential for significant impact.Chair: Janet O'Neill
FREE for ALL. You will then be sent the joining link.
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09 December 2025Webinar
FREE for ALL (please log in on the SOM website first).
Speakers:
Carlos Henrique Xavier Araujo: Occupational Safety and Health in Small-Scale Gold Mining across the Brazilian Amazon.
Dr. Carlos Henrique Xavier Araujo is a Mining Engineer with 8 years of experience in research projects and consulting focused on critical issues in capacity-building, artisanal and small-scale mining, mercury pollution, sustainability transformations, social responsibility, and stakeholder engagement. Currently, he is Collaborating Researcher at the University of São Paulo (USP). He has contributed to multicultural projects for organizations such as Ministry of Mines and Energy (Brazil), World Bank/EGPS, USP Centre For Responsible Mining, UN Environment Programme, Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB), Programme on Transformations to Sustainability, and WWF Brazil. His work includes field-based research across the Brazilian Amazon, applying multidisciplinary methodology and collaborating with government agencies, mining cooperatives, local communities, NGOs, the private sector, and academic institutions in Brazil and internationally.Professor D Moyo: Occupational Diseases and Injuries among ASMs in East, Central and Southern Africa. The Way Forward
A professor of Occupational Medicine at the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe. He is also the Senior Consultant Occupational Physician at Baines Occupational Health Services. He is an internationally renowned Professor who recently received 2 international awards in Manchester, UK in 2024 for his outstanding contribution to the Global development of Occupational Health and outstanding contribution to Occupational Health Research. He has led and managed regional multi-country Occupational Health Centres and projects in East, Central and Southern Africa under the Global Fund, World Bank, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), The African Union (AU) and the International Commission on Occupational Health. He has been an EXCO member of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, South African Society of Occupational Medicine and the International Commission on Occupational Health. Prof D Moyo holds 2 Masters degrees in Health Services management and Occupational Health, a medical degree and advanced professional qualifications in occupational medicine that include 2 Fellowships of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine in Ireland. Prof Moyo has over 50 publications in peer reviewed journals.Professor Gavin Hilson: Summary of the IOMSC ASM project results so far
Gavin Hilson is Professor and Chair of Sustainability in Business at Surrey Business School, University of Surrey, United Kingdom. He is a leading global authority on the social and environmental impacts of artisanal and small- scale mining (ASM) in sub- Saharan Africa. Professor Hilson received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Toronto and his PhD from the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine.Chair: Dr Richard Heron, (IOMSC Co-Chair)
FREE for ALL. You will then be sent the joining link.
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10 December 2025London
SOM Occupational Health Awards and Drinks Reception at the Royal College of Physicians, London
Wednesday 10th December 6-10.30pm. £25 per ticket.
Thanks to our generous sponsors OH Assessment and NEBOSH.
The Reception will include drinks, nibbles and our annual SOM OH awards ceremony. Come along and celebrate what has been achieved by us all this year, meet old friends and new in a relaxed setting.
Dress: smart casual. Please bring your email ticket with you!
Venue Address: Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place, London NW1 4LE.
Liability: neither the SOM nor the venue is able to take responsibility for injury or damage to persons or property.
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31 December 2025Webinar
The four courses aim to help delegates understand the facts about drug & alcohol misuse in the workplace including legal considerations, how to compile a substance misuse policy and interpretation of reports generated by the laboratory.
Collection Officer Training
Who should attend: Anyone who undertakes Chain of Custody collections; OHA / OHNAs; Occupational Health Physicians; GPs; HR Managers; Health & Safety Officers; trade union members
Course content:
- Preparing a site for collection
- Mechanics of a urine collection, troubleshooting and common errors
- Collection demonstration for back-to-lab and Point of Collection [POC] devices
- Breathalyser selection, calibration and verification with demonstration
- What happens to the samples in the laboratory
- Oral fluid and hair collections
Cost: £285 per delegateMRO Training, part 1
Who should attend: OHA / OHNAs; Occupational Health Physicians; GPs
Course content:
- The role of the Medical Review Officer [MRO] including the Medical Review
- Laboratory process
- Adulteration checks and how donors try and mislead the testing
- Drug metabolism looking at the fact and fiction behind positive samples
- Evaluation and debate of Chain of Custody cases through result interpretation
Cost: £285 per delegateMRO Training, part 2
Who should attend: OHA / OHNAs; Occupational Health Physicians; GPs
Course content:
- Use of alternative biological samples such as hair, oral fluid, sweat and sweat vapour
- Pros and cons of Point of Collection [POC] devices, how to develop protocols consistent with the principles of Chain of Custody
- Quality and accreditation, UK Guidelines for Workplace Drugs Testing, minimum service level to expect
- Alcohol including biomarkers such as EtG/EtS, FAEE
- Evaluation via MCQs
Cost: £285 per delegatePolicy Workshop
Who should attend: HR Managers; Health & Safety Officers; Occupational Health professionals; trade union members
Course content:
- Drawing up a draft substance misuse policy
- Timelines for policy introduction and educational requirements
Cost: £175 per delegate for a half-dayOn-site courses can be tailored to your requirements. Please call for further information and details of costs
Venues and dates available throughout 2025:
Policy, afternoon
Collection Officer
MRO1
MRO2
Zoom UK/GMT
03-Feb
04-Feb
05-Feb
06-Feb
Zoom UK/BST
04-Aug
05-Aug
06-Aug
07-Aug
Zoom UAE BST-3hrs
27-Apr
28-Apr
29-Apr
30-Apr
Zoom UAE BST-3hrs
05-Oct
06-Oct
07-Oct
08-Oct
Dates and start times can be adapted to your time zone. Please contact Helen Vangikar for further details.
All delegates will receive an information pack and certificate(s), and MRO1 and MRO2 are accredited and qualify for CPD hours from the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians [UK].
To view further course details please click here.
For more information please email: helen@helenvangikar.com or visit www.helenvangikar.com.
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05 January 2026Webinar
A FOM-approved course in preparation for the FOM Diploma in Occupational Health Practice Examination (DipOHPrac).
The course covers:
- Introduction to Occupational Health
- Effects of work on health
- Clinical Occupational Health and Management
- Assessment of Actual Workplace ScenariosCourse Leaders: Dr Lanre Ogunyemi, Dr Alan Bray and Dr Steven Sadhra
Course Dates: Monday 5th January - Friday 9th January and Monday 26th January - Friday 30th January 2026 (Virtual – Online)
Price: £3,480 including VAT
Click here to view more information and register your interest.
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21 January 2026Webinar
Certificate in OH Case Management
Wednesday 21st – Friday 23rd January 2026, A Virtual Course
Do you want to develop your case management knowledge and skills? Then join The At Work Partnership for a practical three-day qualification designed to train occupational health and other professionals, in the theory and practice of case management skills.
Conducted virtually via Zoom, the course will equip you with the theory and practice to improve your case management skills – helping your organisation to reduce the burden of long-term absence by improving return-to-work and job-retention outcomes.
Expert speakers
The course brings together some of the top experts in their fields, including the course director and leading OH physician, Dr Nerys Williams and Dr Kim Burton, one of the founders of the biopsychosocial and ‘flags’ approach.
Benefits of attending for you and your organisation
You will gain:
- A comprehensive understanding of the importance of the role that OH can play as case management coordinator
- A detailed knowledge of the biopsychosocial model and how it can be used to identify obstacles to job retention or return-to-work
- A structured approach to case management, from drawing up return-to-work and job-retention plans, to putting these into practice and evaluating their success
- In-depth comprehension of the theory and practical skills required to manage complex cases, from chronic conditions to mental health
- Guidance on legal obligations
Click here for full course details and to book online.
EARLY BIRD RATE OFFER: Book and pay before 10 December and save £100 + VAT
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26 January 2026Webinar
FREE for ALL (please log in on the SOM website first).
SPONSORED BY ORCHIDLIVE.COM
Summary
The new Leadership Competencies for Occupational Health have been launched to accelerate OH leadership in the UK and beyond. The Leadership Competencies were developed drawing on research and extensive consultation with the SOM leadership community. This session aims to provide occupational health (OH) professionals, and those responsible for recruiting and training them, with an introduction to the framework, its development and implications for future use.
In this session we will cover:
• why this framework was needed
• the development of the framework
• the competencies relevant to OH leadership
• how the competencies can be used to inform recruitment and personal development
• developing an action plan to develop your own leadership competencies to propel your own professional practice and influence others to advance occupational healthBIOs:
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, Professor of Occupational Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London and Co-Director of the London Centre for Work and Health. 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 Executive. She works closely with organisations, policy makers, and professional bodies to translate research into practical solutions.
Nathan Palmer, Senior Consultant at Affinity Health at Work.
Nathan is a Registered Occupational Psychologist and works as a Senior Consultant at Affinity Health at Work and supports a range of client and research projects – bringing together existing evidence and expert opinion to create new tools and more in-depth understanding of workplace wellbeing challenges. Having worked in leadership positions in major national charities, with experience in designing and delivering training programmes at scale, he is passionate about learning and development, supporting people to thrive at work and enabling individuals and teams to be successful. Nathan is also currently working towards a professional doctorate in Occupational Psychology. His specialist areas of interest include Inclusion, Effective Management Practices, and Supportive Teams.Dr Lanre Ogunyemi, Chair, SOM Leadership Academy
Dr Lanre Ogunyemi is a Consultant in Occupational Medicine, Immediate Past President of the UK Society of Occupational Medicine, and Founding Chair of its Leadership Academy, established to develop future leaders and strengthen leadership across the occupational health workforce. He serves as Academic Registrar (Chief Examiner) at the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, and sits on the Board of Directors of the UK Council for Work & Health. As Medical Director at Trinity Occupational & Public Health Solutions Ltd (TOPHS), he oversees services across diverse sectors and leads the delivery of Faculty-accredited training for the Diploma in Occupational Medicine and the Diploma in Occupational Health Practice. A passionate advocate for education, leadership, and workforce development, Dr Ogunyemi plays an active role in advancing professional standards and enhancing leadership capability within the specialty.
Dr Natalie Green, Senior Medical Director at Health Partners Group.
Dr Natalie Green is Senior Medical Director at Health Partners Group and a Consultant Occupational Physician with extensive experience across public and private sectors. She leads a multidisciplinary clinical team delivering occupational health services to a wide range of commercial clients. Natalie is a compassionate and inclusive leader, committed to helping individuals thrive and encouraging leadership at all levels. She believes that everyone has the potential to lead, regardless of role or seniority, and is passionate about creating environments where people can grow and succeed. She is a member of the SOM Leadership Academy Executive Committee, supporting the development of current and future leaders in occupational health, and serves on the FOM Ethics Committee. Her works as part of the EOPH education faculty contributes to the education and development of the next generation of occupational health physicians.FREE for ALL. You will then be sent the joining link.
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30 January 2026Webinar
22nd annual Preview conference from The At Work Partnership
Preview 2026: OH Legal & Professional Update
Friday 30th January 2026 - A Virtual Event
Chaired by Dr John Ballard, editor of Occupational Health [at Work]
How can you prepare for the legal and professional developments that will be affecting your work in occupational health over the next 12 months?
Join The At Work Partnership and a hand-picked panel of experts to navigate through some of the most complex and important challenges facing OH.
The 22nd annual Preview 2026 conference will provide a comprehensive update on crucial developments in OH law and professional practice. This year’s exciting programme includes a number of important legal updates on The Employment Rights Act 2025 (we’ll dive into the implications for OH) and the FOM’s new ethics guidance for OH practice, delivered by Prof Diana Kloss. Diana will also provide an update on other legal and ethical hot topics, including disability discrimination and fitness for disciplinary and other employment hearings.
The seminar will also feature thought-provoking sessions on managing consent with Dr Antonia Karus-McElvogue, assessing fitness to attend a disciplinary in practice with Dr Samantha Phillips, cannabis in safety-critical industries with Dr Charl Els and the issue of mental health, younger workers and OH with Prof Sharon Stevelink.
For further details on the programme, visit the event page at the website link below.
Testimonials from past delegates:
“Worth attending, great speakers.”
Consultant occupational health physician – Optima Health“Thought provoking and immersive. Always feel recharged after these (At Work Partnership
training) events.”
Occupational health advisor – West Fraser Europe Limited“An essential update for everyone in OH.”
OH clinical lead – Commercial Services GroupEARLY BIRD SPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE NOW:
Book by 18th December 2025 and save up to £60 + VAT!
Self-funded delegates from only £175 + VAT!
Secure your place here.
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02 February 2026Webinar
Baines Occupational Health Services offers flexible live and online occupational health courses in:
- Occupational Audiometry
- Spirometry
- Strategic Management of Occupational Health ServicesMode: Online Courses
Course Duration: 32 hours over eight weeks
Duration of each lecture session: 4 hours per day
Audience: Healthcare workers
Cost: $350 USD
Course Convenor: Prof D. Moyo
Commencement: Sunday 1st February
Registration Closes: Sunday 25th JanuaryOccupational Audiometry
- Introduction to Occupational Audiometry
- Reading and interpreting audiograms
- Best practice audiometry standards for fitness duty
- Setting up a workplace Hearing Conservation Program
- Quality Assurance in Occupational Audiometry
- Impairment Assessment for compensationSpirometry Course
- Introduction to Spirometry in Occupational Settings
- Reading and interpreting spirograms
- The new spirometry standard
- Spirometry and Fitness for Duty Evaluations
- Quality Assurance in Spirometry
- Setting up a Respiratory Conservation Program
- Impairment Assessment for compensationStrategic Management of Occupational Health Services
- Introduction to Fundamentals of Management
- Developing an Occupational Health Services Strategy
- The Occupational Health Services Balanced Scorecard
- Communicating Fitness for Duty and Return to Work Decisions
- Effective communication in Occupational Health
- Full suite of Occupational Health Policies and Procedures
- Positive Performance Indicators in Occupational HealthContact Details:
+263718044627
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18 February 2026West Midlands
FOR SOM MEMBERS ONLY £35
Following our successful visit to Emma Bridgewater pottery in January 2025, we have tied down a similar visit to the World of Wedgwood in Staffordshire for a factory tour followed by afternoon tea on Wednesday 18th February 2026.
The factory tour will begin at 2.30pm, followed by afternoon tea at 3.30pm. Spaces are limited to 13 people on a first come, first served basis. Please only book on if you can make it.
This is an opportunity to meet fellow SOM members in a friendly and relaxed environment.
Unfortunately, there is no Occupational health person available for the tour, however the guide will be able to answer questions as we go round. You will interact with some of the workers, many of whom have worked there for 30+ years and they will chat about the many processes and range of skills on the factory.
There is no photography allowed on the factory however.
You can find out more about the tour online here https://www.worldofwedgwood.com/
SOM Members ONLY. If you are not a member, please join here www.som.org.uk