Acorn Occupational Health Ltd

04/06/2026

Poor manual handling practices can lead to workplace injuries, absence and long-term musculoskeletal problems, but many risks are preventable.

Our Manual Handling Training helps employers improve risk awareness, support safer working practices and meet legal responsibilities around moving and handling tasks.

Training includes:
✔️ Risk awareness & assessment
✔️ Safe moving and handling techniques
✔️ Back care and injury prevention
✔️ Practical demonstrations

Because prevention is always better than injury management.
📞 01260 277797
📧 [email protected]

03/06/2026

When should an employer consider a management referral?

If an employee is struggling with attendance, performance, returning after illness, or their health may be affecting work, a management referral can help provide clarity and support. It’s not about judgement, it’s about understanding how best to support employees while helping employers make informed decisions.

We’ve revisited one of our blogs exploring the signs that it may be time to consider a referral and what the process involves.

Read more here 👉 https://www.acornoh.co.uk/news-events/management-referrals/does-my-employee-need-a-management-referral/

Read more on Does My Employee Need a Management Referral? Discover our blog posts which delve into topics within occupational health.

02/06/2026

June’s Wellness Focus shines a spotlight on Men’s Health & Physical Fitness for Work 💪

In many male-dominated industries, physical strain can often be seen as “part of the job” - but aches, pains and injuries shouldn’t be ignored. Encouraging employees to speak up early about discomfort can make a significant difference, helping to prevent minor issues from becoming long-term problems.

This month, we’re encouraging employers to consider:
✔️ Promoting early reporting of pain, discomfort or injury
✔️ Supporting physical health in physically demanding roles
✔️ Reviewing workplace risks linked to manual handling, repetitive tasks or poor ergonomics
✔️ Taking a proactive approach to musculoskeletal health

A healthier workforce starts with prevention. What steps is your organisation taking to support physical wellbeing at work?

27/05/2026

Did you know that counselling support can take many forms - including specialist therapies such as EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy approach often used to help individuals process distressing or traumatic experiences.

Unlike traditional talking therapies, EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess difficult memories. During sessions, a trained therapist guides the individual through specific eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while recalling distressing experiences in a safe, structured way. The aim is to reduce the emotional impact of those memories over time and help individuals move forward.

At Acorn Occupational Health, we understand that mental health support is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why, through our counselling provision with Vita, employees can access a range of therapeutic support options, including EMDR counselling, where clinically appropriate.

If you’d like to learn more about the counselling support available, get in touch with our team.
📞 01260 277797
📧 [email protected]

20/05/2026

Could you spot the signs of depression in your workplace?

Depression doesn’t always look the way people expect, and in many cases, employees may be struggling in silence. Changes in performance, behaviour, energy levels, or even appearance can all be early warning signs.

For employers and managers, recognising these signs early is key to offering the right support and preventing issues from escalating.

Our blog breaks down:
✔️ Common workplace signs of depression
✔️ What these changes might look like day-to-day
✔️ How to approach and support employees effectively

👉 Read more here: https://www.acornoh.co.uk/news-events/mental-health/spotting-the-signs-of-depression-in-the-workplace/

If you’re unsure how to support an employee, a management referral can provide the clarity and guidance you need.

Read more on Spotting the Signs of Depression in the Workplace. Discover our blog posts which delve into topics within occupational health

19/05/2026

For SMEs, arranging health surveillance can sometimes feel challenging - limited time, smaller teams, and the disruption of staff travelling off-site for appointments can all become barriers.

That’s where mobile health surveillance can make a real difference.

Our mobile health surveillance units bring essential assessments directly to your workplace, helping smaller businesses access tailored health surveillance without unnecessary disruption to day-to-day operations.

Benefits for SMEs include:

✔ Reduced employee downtime - less time spent travelling to appointments
✔ Flexible service delivery - suitable for businesses of varying sizes
✔ On-site convenience - assessments carried out at your premises
✔ Support with legal responsibilities where workplace risks are identified

Whether your employees are exposed to noise, vibration, dust, or other workplace hazards, health surveillance helps identify concerns early and supports a healthier workforce.

Health surveillance isn’t just for large organisations, practical solutions are available for businesses of all sizes.

14/05/2026

You’ve identified a workplace risk… now what?

Knowing there is a workplace health risk is one thing, knowing what to do next is another.

A simple approach can help employers stay proactive:

➡️ Risk assessment – Identify the hazard and who may be affected
➡️ Controls – Put measures in place to reduce exposure
➡️ Health surveillance – Monitor employee health where appropriate
➡️ Ongoing review – Regularly assess whether controls are working

For example:

An employee reports tingling or numbness in their fingers after using vibrating tools. What should happen next?

While symptoms can have various causes, this could be an early sign of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) and should not be ignored.

Employers may need to:
✔️ Review vibration exposure risks
✔️ Check existing control measures
✔️ Consider appropriate health surveillance
✔️ Encourage early reporting and assessment

Early action can make a real difference in preventing longer-term problems and supporting employee wellbeing.

Need support with workplace health surveillance? Our team can help employers implement practical, tailored programmes that support both compliance and workforce health.

13/05/2026

Sometimes, even with the right support in place, employees might not always follow ergonomic advice as intended, and the reasons are often more complex than they first appear.

From workplace culture and ingrained habits to lack of follow-up and understanding, there are many factors that can affect whether ergonomic recommendations are implemented.

In our latest blog, we explore why employees might ignore ergonomic advice and, more importantly, what employers can do to improve engagement and outcomes.

A proactive approach to ergonomics can help reduce discomfort, support wellbeing, and potentially prevent longer-term absence.

Read the full blog here: https://www.acornoh.co.uk/news-events/ergonomics/why-employees-might-ignore-ergonomic-advice-and-what-to-do-about-it/

Read more on Why Employees Might Ignore Ergonomic Advice. Discover our blog posts which delve into topics within occupational health.

12/05/2026

Not sure how to handle long-term absence?

You’re not alone, this is one of the most common (and challenging) situations employers face.

When an employee is off work long-term, it can be difficult to know:
- When they’re likely to return
- What support they need
- Whether adjustments are required
- How to manage the situation fairly and consistently

👉 This is where a Management Referral can make all the difference.

An occupational health assessment provides clear, professional guidance to help you move forward with confidence, including:
✔️ Fitness for work advice
✔️ Likely timescales for return
✔️ Practical workplace adjustments
✔️ Support with return-to-work planning

Rather than guessing or delaying decisions, a referral gives you the clarity you need, helping you support your employee while protecting your business.

💬 If you’re managing a long-term absence case, now may be the right time to refer.

07/05/2026

Some of our team recently attended the CIEHF Ergonomics & Human Factors Conference 2026, a fantastic opportunity to connect with others in the industry and explore the latest thinking in ergonomics and human factors.

It was a valuable few days filled with insightful conversations, fresh perspectives, and plenty of inspiration to bring back to the team.

A definite highlight was meeting Amelia Colman, a Skeleton Olympian from the Winter Olympics 🏅

Great to see our team continuing to engage, learn, and stay at the forefront of the profession.