Procurement and implementation processes for Occupational Health Services in Sweden.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Employers are required to get expert advice whenever needed to ensure a safe work environment. Providers of Occupational Health Services (OHS) could be such experts, but their services are usually used to provide health-related support to individuals, not preventive Occupational Health and Safety Management (OHSM) or other group-focused interventions. OBJECTIVE: To investigate how contracts with OHS providers in Sweden are established and implemented. METHODS: Written OHS contracts were reviewed, and follow-up interviews were conducted with Human Resource (HR) managers, management, safety representatives, and OHS professionals in seven organizations. RESULTS: Generally, the HR departments drew up the contracts with the OHS providers. The contracts were not integrated with the companies' occupational health and safety management. Managers lacked knowledge on how to utilize services offered by their OHS provider. Terms and conditions of contracts were found to be inconsistent with services actually utilized. CONCLUSIONS: The procurement and implementation process promotes reactive rather than preventive interventions. Employers should include managers and safety representatives in procurement- and implementation processes and define relevant and measurable goals regarding the collaboration.