PERSONAL LEARNING ZONE

Summary:

FEATURED ARTICLE

This issue of Occupational Health [at Work] features a Personal Learning Zone (PLZ) article recommended for continuing professional development (CPD). The assignment questions, ‘Personal learning statement’ and ‘Certificate of engagement’ are available to subscribers at here. These will also be stored in your password-protected PLZ. The PLZ will help you document your own CPD. Occupational health physicians and nurses, occupational hygienists and other professionals can use the resource in support of their specialism’s revalidation or CPD requirements

Pages 36–38. Menopause and disability  The EAT decision in Rooney v Leicester City Council is the first disability discrimination case involving menopause to be heard on appeal. Mrs Rooney claimed sex and disability discrimination after facing disciplinary action for poor attendance. The case has now been referred to a new employment tribunal to decide the outcome. OH professionals can assist employers and employees by considering in detail the effects of menopausal symptoms on an individual’s normal day-to-day activities, and on possible reasonable adjustments. reasonable adjustments.

ADDITIONAL CPD 

The following articles, news and research items are suggested reading for CPD and professional revalidation. Subscribers can complete their online Personal Learning Zone CPD record at here 

Pages 4-5. NICE has published its updated guideline on the diagnosis and management of chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis), but it has been criticised by medical bodies, which say the advice fails to reflect fully the scientific evidence.

Pages 10-13. The EAT has upheld an employment tribunal decision, in Seccombe v Reed in Partnership, that an employee was not disabled on grounds of mental ill health at the time of his dismissal and, even if he was, the employer did not have constructive knowledge of it. It also looked at whether a past impairment had, or was likely to have, recurred at the material time.

Page 14. The HSE has updated its official guidance to the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.

Pages 17–21. Paracelsus was famous for his toxicology maxim that ‘the dose makes the poison’. But it turns out that the dose–response principle applies ubiquitously to life activities, including work. Occupational health professionals should look to find the ‘sweet spot’ in addressing psychosocial issues at work.

Pages 39–42. Our compendium of recent research includes an investigation of work-related silicosis and asthma from hazardous exposure in the worktop manufacturing and fabrication industry, updated NICE guidance on ‘long COVID’, and a study on annual health risk assessments.

Author: The At Work Partnership Ltd

Occupational Health at Work December/January 2021/2022 (vol. 18/4) pp43

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