Professional Values, Ethical and Legal Framework in Occupational Health

Occupational Health practice operates at the unique intersection of medicine, law, ethics, and workplace responsibility. Every Occupational Health professional must balance the interests of workers, employers, and public safety while maintaining professional independence, fairness, and accountability.

This comprehensive course provides a structured introduction to the ethical, legal, and professional foundations of Occupational Health practice. Aligned with MFOM Learning Outcome 1, the programme has been designed to support Occupational Health trainees, physicians, nurses, and clinicians preparing for professional examinations.

The programme also serves as a practical reference for day-to-day clinical practice. Through 31 detailed video tutorials and more than 350 examination-style multiple choice questions, learners will develop a clear understanding of the principles underpinning safe, ethical, and legally defensible Occupational Health practice.

The course begins by exploring the ethical foundations of Occupational Health, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, dual loyalty, conflicts of interest, and ethical fitness-for-work decision making.

It then examines the legal framework governing Occupational Health in the United Kingdom, covering employment law, health and safety legislation, civil and criminal law, negligence, vicarious liability, and the role of the courts.

Learners will gain a practical understanding of key workplace regulations, including the Health and Safety at Work Act, Working Time Regulations, Display Screen Equipment Regulations, Manual Handling Operations Regulations, Personal Protective Equipment Regulations, and the wider health and safety framework used within modern workplaces.

The programme provides detailed coverage of disability and discrimination law, including the Equality Act 2010, disability definitions, reasonable adjustments, and unlawful discrimination.

Essential topics relating to data protection, confidentiality, consent, disclosure of medical information, GDPR, the Access to Medical Reports Act, and Access to Health Records legislation are explored in depth.

The final section focuses on professional identity, governance, accountability, the Faculty of Occupational Medicine ethical framework, GMC Good Medical Practice, Duty of Candour, and the principles of defensible Occupational Health practice.