Good health equals good business

May 29 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

UNDOUBTEDLY times are tough for companies working in the construction industry.

Survival and success for many is going to depend on the retention and sustainability of their workforces, so it is imperative employers properly invest in safeguarding the interests of their employees.

Safety has traditionally been the main focus of industry attention, but this is just one side of the coin.

Statistics show 4.5% of the UK’s construction workforce is affected by illnesses caused or made worse by their job.

This equates to 90,000 workers and 1.8 million days lost because of work-related ill health – double the number of days lost to the industry due to safety issues.

Asthma, work-related deafness, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), skin disease and asbestos-related cancers are just a few problems .

Since 2004, when the first Occupational Health Management Pilot Study was conducted, Constructing Better Health has been spearheading the creation of the UK's first national programme for occupational health standards in the construction industry.

Now, the UK has a scheme that not only delivers a nationally recognised solution for the management of work-related health issues but also offers stakeholders and partners a direct route to greater productivity and a long-term skills base.

As CBH is owned by the industry, its not-for-profit status ensures it acts impartially in all matters relating to the management of workers’ health.

In March 2009, it joined forces with the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and together CBH and CSCS have created a united voice for the management of proof of competency and work-related health and safety.

The recent launch of the CBH national database and card alongside the existing CSCS scheme means contractors will now be able to manage health and safety at site level in a co-ordinated way.

Keeping our workforce in work and not throwing them on to the scrap heap at an early age benefits all – good health equals good business!

A seminar on this subject will take place in Newcastle on Wednesday, June 3, from 8.30am to 11.30am.

For more information contact the chief executive, Catriona Lingwood, on (0191) 383-7435 or email catriona@cene.org.uk.

Michelle Aldous is chief executive of Constructing Better Health.