health news
Medical
Screening
for Safety Critical Workers
The rise of asbestos related deaths and injuries at work in the
construction industry reinforces the need to proactively screen
workers in safety critical roles. Unfortunately health issues can be
hidden and not always obvious. An undiagnosed health issue can
have a far reaching and devastating impact on the individual,
Constructing Better Health (CBH) is an independent, not-for-
colleagues and the workplace, and potentially expose the
profit organisation delivering the UK’s first national scheme of
business to litigation. It is important that employers continually
occupational health standards for the construction industry.
monitor developments in legislation and adapt their working During consultation with the industry more than two years
practices. Occupational Health plays an important role in an
ago, CBH identified the need for a national scheme when it
organisation’s business strategy with key elements that need to be
became apparent that there was a wealth of information
incorporated such as pre-employment, health surveillance and in
regarding safety, but very little – or hard to find - regarding
the case of asbestos, statutory medicals.
work-related health.
Incorporating pre-employment and health surveillance as part of
For the first time ever, the UK now has a coordinated,
working practices in the construction industry can be
consistent and pragmatic approach to the management of the
straightforward however the geographical location of the
occupational health for the construction workforce.
workforce can be restrictive. Clarity Healthcare has developed a
CBH enables employers to enjoy greater productivity, an
network of over 400 pharmacy locations and a fleet of mobile
increased skills base due to the retention of more experienced
units covering the UK. Andy Campbell, Managing Director of
workers, and longer-term potential for significant improvement
Clarity Healthcare said ‘we understand the challenges facing the
in the work-related ill health of employees. By working with
construction industry and believe that our national network of
accredited occupational health service providers, CBH makes it
pharmacy partners puts Clarity Healthcare in a strong position to
easier for employers to access advice, information and training
to implement occupational health best practice.
support the industry’s Occupational Health needs.’
CBH focuses on six key areas:
Statutory Medicals pose a different challenge for the
construction industry. Part of this medical must to be undertaken
• Setting industry standards for both work related health
by an approved Occupational Health Physician. For example the
issues, and competency of occupational health provision.
medical screen for an Asbestos worker requires a medical by an
• Establishing a national database of accredited occupational
approved Occupational Health Physician and then a health
health service providers
assessment undertaken by a trained occupational health • Building a construction specific knowledge portal
technician. The health assessments involve basic physiology,
• Centralising the collection of work-related health data
urinalysis, skin surveillance, vision test, respiratory surveillance,
• The transmission of fit for task data to enable employers to
musculoskeletal questionnaire, audiometry and hand arm vibration
manage work related health risks at site level
assessment. ‘Our solution to overcoming this challenge was to
develop a working partnership with a physician led service
• A referral route through to specialists in the field of return
provider’ states Andy Campbell.
to work and rehabilitation
Clarity Healthcare is working with M3, a provider of
www.constructingbetterhealth.co.uk
Occupational Health Physicians (OHP) to deliver both elements of
the assessment simultaneously, providing a more cost effective
and efficient service. A combination of the Occupational Health
KEY OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES
Physician and the Clarity technician to undertake the assessment
Pre-placement Health Ensuring that employees are fit for
ensures that the medical is completed in one visit, saving both
Questionnaire/Assessments their proposed job role and providing
time and cost. a baseline of health
Clarity Healthcare has developed key partnerships and a strong
Health Surveillance Systematically reviewing early signs of
support network to provide a full Occupational Health service to
work related ill health in employees
the construction industry.
exposed to certain health risks and
Working with Constructing Better Health, Clarity will assess the
providing periodic health assessments
fitness of workers using pre-defined occupational health
according to health regulations
standards.
Sickness Absence Managing sickness absence
For further information or to discuss your specific proactively to facilitate earlier return to
requirements please contact Jas Kaaba at
work and advising on any restrictions
Jask@clarityocchealth.co.uk
or alternative duties
16 arca & atac news
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