Ethics Guidance for Occupational Health Practice 9th Edition - Book - Page 15
1.07. The FOM also retains all previous editions of this guidance so that practitioners,
employers, and adjudicating bodies can reference the version in place at the
time of an event or case, ensuring that the ethical principles applied during that
period can be accurately understood.
1.08. Although not legally binding, this guidance may help demonstrate that ethical
practice and data protection obligations have been appropriately considered.
Ethical principles and values
1.09. Modern biomedical ethics is grounded in four core principles 2:
Autonomy
Beneficence
Non-maleficence
Distributive justice
These principles support informed choice, fairness, the protection of health,
confidentiality, and trust. In OH practice, professionals have responsibilities to
both workers and employers and often must balance individual autonomy with
safety considerations or wider organisational and societal interests.
1.10. Ethical professional practice is supported by values such as honesty,
truthfulness, fairness, reasonableness, courtesy, resilience, responsibility, and
confidentiality. Sound ethical judgement requires sensitivity to societal
expectations as well as professional norms.
A Simple Framework for Managing Complex Ethical Issues
1.11. To support consistent and transparent ethical decision making, OH
professionals may find the following structured approach helpful:
Consider your position – recognise your role as an independent adviser or
consultant, providing expert clinical advice within the standards and oversight
of your regulatory body.
Apply the four principles of biomedical ethics – reflect on how autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice each relate to the case in question.
Weigh the principles – use them to balance competing aspects or interests
involved in the situation.
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