Ethics Guidance for Occupational Health Practice 9th Edition - Book - Page 3
Preface
I am pleased to introduce the 9th edition of the Faculty’s Ethics Guidance — the first
to be published in a fully online format. This marks an important step in making the
guidance more accessible, easier to navigate, and capable of being updated
responsibly as the landscape of occupational health practice continues to evolve.
This edition represents focused work by the Ethics Committee since July 2025 to ensure
clarity, legal accuracy, and practical relevance. While ethical principles provide essential
foundations for good professional judgement, they do not dictate, replace, or create
organisational policies. Instead, they support practitioners in applying sound ethical
reasoning within the policies, governance structures, and legal requirements of their
own organisations.
This guidance is intended to support practitioners at every stage of the occupational
health process. While it does not replace regulatory or professional standards, it
provides an ethical framework that complements them, helping clinicians exercise
sound judgement, act with integrity, and maintain trust in all professional interactions.
To support transparency and accountability, the FOM will retain archived versions of
each edition. This will allow clinicians and organisations to reference the specific
version of the guidance in place at the time a scenario occurred, ensuring that
reasoning and documentation remain grounded in the standards applicable at that
point.
I am grateful to all contributors whose work has shaped this edition and strengthened
its value to the profession. I hope readers find the guidance clear, practical, and
supportive of ethical and legally robust occupational health practice. Ethical practice is
not static; it requires ongoing reflection and engagement. The digital format will allow
us to continue refining this work, ensuring it remains current, accessible, and aligned
with future developments in our field.
Hilary Winch
Chair, FOM Ethics Committee
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