when do they have to do what the doctor asked?

[moocowme]

my doctor has written me a letter for working asking for a change to be made in one of my tasks so i am no longer doing it. their are other people who could do it and we have about 20 people in our department so its not impossible for me to do something else.

work have now said that i must be assessd by occupational health before they can do anything. this could take 4 or more weeks. do i have to wait this long for a change? who is responsible if an accident happens while still having to perform this task even tho i have a letter saying i am not to do it.

It's fine for your employer to want a professional OH advisor's opinion. Your GP who presumably wrote the note doesn't probably have specialist knowledge about occupational health issues and/or specific knowledge about your workplace, as the OH will.

If your employer are not able or prepared to make a change on a temporary basis, tell your doctor and if he/she feels strongly that your health is at risk by carrying on for a short time, then he/she can sign you off work completely.

Strictly speaking, all a doctor can advise on is a medical condition. He/she can say, 'Moo has x wrong with her, and when she does x, it is possible that it makes her symptoms worse' A GP cannot really tell an employer how to organize their place of work, however, if an employer has knowledge of a risk, then they should take measures to reduce the risk, especially if they have had an expert bring it to their attention, and would be liable if you are injured or your symptoms are made worse as a result of doing task.

Could they alter your tasks temporarily?