Catalogue description Records of the Civil Service Occupational Health Service and the Civil Service Occupational Health and Safety Agency

Following a scrutiny report which recommended the merger of the Civil Service Medical Advisory Service and the Ministry of Defence Civilian Medical Service, the creation of the Civil Service Occupational Health Service (OHS) was announced in June 1986. It came into being in November 1987 as an Executive Agency of the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service (OMCS) now the Office of Public service and Science, within the Cabinet Office.

OHS was responsible for advice to management on all aspects of the health of civil servants, including the health standards of recruits, surveillance of sick absence, and premature medical retirement. It was also actively involved in research into and the promotion of preventative occupational health in the workplace, including better standards of health and safety in government departments and the protection of workers from adverse working conditions and methods. OHS provided a comprehensive information and advisory service to the civil service and, under contract, to organisations in the private sector.

The OHS was made up of five divisions: the Advisory and Nursing Division; the Hygiene and Safety Division, the Administration Division and two Medical Divisions.

The Advisory and Nursing Division was the first point of contact in the monitoring and advising of departments. It was also responsible for overseeing the first aid provision in departments, holding training courses for persons serving abroad and providing health and safety education.

The Hygiene and Safety Division was set up in 1987 to advise departments on precautions to be taken when working with hazardous substances. It was also responsible for providing training in this area.

The Administration Division provided the administrative support to the OHS including the provision of library and publications service.

The Medical Divisions were organised on a regional basis and were responsible for carrying out research in work related health problems. They were also involved in considering ways of assessing the health of candidates for the Civil Service and for monitoring the affects of major health hazards.

In 1990, OHS became an executive agency of OMCS. In 1992, responsibility for OHS passed to OMCS's successor, the Office of Public Service and Science. In 1994 following a review of the work of OHS, its name was changed to Civil Service Occupational Health and Safety Agency (OHSA). In September 1996, after a further review, OHSA was privatised.