FEATURE


HOLISTIC APPROACH TO HEALTH


We find out more about the recent findings from an Electrical Contractors Association, BESA and Constructing Better Health survey, which revealed that three in four firms are now ‘actively managing’ occupational health.


Almost three quarters (72%) of building services firms say they actively manage occupational health, according to a new survey from the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), the BESA and Constructing Better Health.


Of those that said they managed occupational health (OH), some 82% cited a ‘moral duty’ as a key reason for doing so, while over half said it also helped to show the sector was ‘a great place to work.’ Many respondents also said that managing OH led to a more productive workforce, with better staff retention (77%), and less absenteeism (84%).


The main on-site occupational health hazards identified by respondents were manual handling, noise, and asbestos.


Speaking about the survey, ECA Director of Business Paul Reeve commented: “The findings of this survey will help us and our stakeholders to understand much more clearly what the real occupational health issues are in our sector. The sector already has an exceptionally good safety record and this data should help the sector to further increase cost-effective occupational health provision.


“The response to this survey has yielded some very useful data but we are also mindful that, generally speaking, those who responded may


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already be ‘switched on’ and there is much more to do across the sector.”


Tim Rook, BESA Director of Technical, comments: "We are encouraged by the results of this survey because it shows that employers take occupational health issues seriously. However, while it is correct to say we have made impressive strides forward on safety, we still have some way to go on health.


"We have a growing skills shortage. Improving our image and really caring about our workforce, whether in the office or on site, is essential if we are to attract the diverse workforce we need to deliver projects to a high standard and meet ambitious future construction targets."


Gerard McLaughlin, Operations Director of Constructing Better Health, adds: "This survey reflects a generally positive attitude towards occupational health. However, the incorrect perception still remains within our industry that, a focus on ‘safety’ in relation to accidents and incidents is meeting all the requirements of good health and safety practice.


"We need to promote training and increase the number of qualified ‘in-house’ occupational health professionals with a real understanding of work-related health. With the input of trained work-related health specialists, we as an industry


can progress good practice, supported by evidence-based standards in order to improve and to maintain wellbeing within the workforce."


“WE NEED TO PROMOTE TRAINING AND


INCREASE THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED ‘IN-


HOUSE’ OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WITH A REAL


UNDERSTANDING OF WORK-RELATED HEALTH.”


Noting there are widely differing definitions of 'occupational health management,' the survey also offered a suggested ‘working definition’ which said ‘managing occupational health’ referred to 'eliminating or sufficiently controlling significant exposure to work-related physical or mental health hazards and disease, and monitoring the effects on individuals as necessary’.


Nearly 8 in 10 firms ‘agreed entirely’ and just 3% of respondents disagreed.


www.cbhscheme.com www.eca.co.uk www.besa.org.uk


www.tomorrowshs.com


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