Seek Advice
Your symptoms:
- What are they?
- When and how did your illness start?
- Do you feel ill only when you are doing certain tasks?
- Do you feel ill at weekends or when you are on holiday?
- Have you missed work because of your illness?
- Have you had to change any of your normal activities (eg leisure/sport/family) because of your illness/symptoms?
- Is there anything else your doctor should know about your illness?
- Have others at work suffered similar symptoms?
What you do:
It’s important that your doctor knows not just your job title, but what you actually do at work and where you work. If you change your job, let your doctor know on your next visit.
Have you been warned of any health risks from your work or told to take special precautions? (see below)
Working conditions:
- Do you work with heavy or awkward loads?
- Do you do frequent lifting?
- Does the equipment you use vibrate?
- Is your seating or workstation uncomfortable or unsuitable?
- Does your work involve repetitive movements like hammering, typing, VDU operation, food processing, working on assembly lines, working on checkout counters?
- Is your workplace noisy?
- Are there lighting problems at work?
- Do you use any protective clothing or equipment at work? Take a description of these to your doctor.
Provide any other information you think may be helpful.
Substances at work:
- What chemicals do you work with?
- Are there labels on any substances you use?
Write down their names and any information about them from the labels and get copies of the material safety data sheets (MSDSs).
- Does your work involve dust or fumes? If so, what sort of dust or fumes?
- Is there any monitoring of the dust or fume levels?
- Do you put your hands regularly into detergents, solvents or other liquids?
- Has your employer arranged for you to have any tests related to the substances you use?
- Have there been any new substances introduced at work which could have made you ill?
- What do you use to clean your hands at work?
- Do you have any contact with animals or birds?
- Do you have any contact with bodily fluids? (eg blood, urine, saliva)
- Can you think of any other information about substances that your doctor should know?
Work patterns and practices:
- How long have you been doing your job?
- Do you work shifts?
- Are you exposed to passive smoke?
- Are there separate places for eating at work?
- Are you able to change clothing that has become heavily soiled or contaminated before you leave work?
- Is there any new equipment or work processes that have made you feel ill?
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Have others at work suffered similar trouble?
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Has your workload been increased?
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How much of control do you have over what you do?
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Have you been bullied, harassed or pressured?
Your Rights and Responsibilities
You have the right to be protected from illness and injury at work. Your employer has the duty to provide a working environment that is safe and without risks to health. Ill health at work can often be prevented, so it is important to report any symptoms and concerns to your employer and health and safety representative. You should also tell the work doctor or nurse if there is one.
Further Advice and Information
If you or your doctor think work might be contributing to your illness and you are still concerned after telling your employer and OHS rep about it, you should contact your union and speak to the OHS Officer or your organiser.
You or your doctor can also contact the Workers’ Occupational Health Centre on 03) 9662 4820 for further advice.