Welcome to the AFOEM Website

The Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine is the professional organisation committed to establishing and maintaining the standard of training and practice of Occupational Medicine in Australasia. Occupational Medicine is a medical specialty where highly-trained specialists focus on the effects of work on health and (conversely) health on work. It understands the full range of workplace and environmental hazards (chemical, physical, biological & psychosocial), associated risks of exposure to such hazards, and how these may cause an adverse impact on biological health, such as injury or illness. It covers all occupational/work groupings, and understands the nature of such work in terms of inherent task requirements, environment, and human ergonomics.

What is an Occupational and Environmental Physician

Click to view a short audio-visual presentation of the role of an OEP

Occupational and Environmental Physicians (OEPs) are highly trained medical specialists who provide services related to workers' and employers' health. The OEP's approach is holistic, recognising the health effects of occupational, social, psychological and environmental factors. By addressing health within a broader context, the OEP is better able to provide a comprehensive and accurate assessment of the underlying causes of illness and disease. The OEP’s distinctive approach also allows them to minimise the risk of further illness, injury or disease. Some OEPs work for the government, the military or a large organisation. Work in private practice is common, providing services that include patient treatment, workplace assessments, health surveillance and supervision of vocational rehabilitation. OEPs provide Independent Medical Opinions on issues such as fitness to perform particular work duties, the work-relatedness of medical conditions, and impairment assessment.

OEPs advise employers on illness and injury prevention, the management of sickness absence and health problems, and on strategies for minimising occupational and environmental risks. OEPs work with other occupational health specialists to manage specific environmental risk factors, such as electromagnetic radiation or handling of chemicals.

In what ways are OEPs shaping the health care system of the future?

Work and the environment are significant in the life of most adults, and all employees have the right to a safe and healthy working environment. Work-related illness and injury can have dramatic financial and social consequences, and have significant impacts on work productivity. The ageing population, rising healthcare costs, and the increasing cost of work-related disability all point to an increasing need for OEPs. The prominence of environmental issues has increased recently, along with the appreciation of the impact of environmental issues on workers’ health. This has correspondingly increased the demand for the specialised knowledge of environmental issues OEPs are able to provide. At the present, there are over 400 OEPs practicing throughout Australia and New Zealand, in cities, towns and rural areas.

This website is designed to provide information and resources for Fellows and Trainees of the Faculty, as well as for health professionals who are interested in specialising in Occupational or Environmental Medicine.

Page Last Reviewed or Updated: Wednesday 28, July 2010
Website Last Reviewed or Updated: Wednesday 28, July 2010