Product category:
Building Trade Associations and Institutes
News Release from: Scottish Building Federation
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 14 September 2005
Scottish Building Occupational Health
Service
Scottish Building plan to launch a new Occupational Health Service for members.
Scottish Building plans for the development of an Occupational Health Service are nearing completion and subject to final alterations, the service will go live this Autumn with an official launch date to be confirmed The proposal arose from feedback the Federation received whilst carrying out the information gathering process for the last wage negotiations; many of our members stated that access to appropriate Occupational Health services would assist them greatly in managing sickness absence along with maintaining best practice in all health related matters thus ensuring that their employees continue to be active within their companies
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 21 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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In addition to this, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have identified as an area of concern the duty to manage stress at work, and this requires employers to provide 'risk assessments', staff training, counselling or other appropriate services and to ensure that their relevant policies are all up to date and practiced throughout the company.
Therefore, there is a definite need for such a service.
Scottish Building already provide their members with advice, written information and practical help in the field of ill health management, procedural requirements and best practice.
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However, it was agreed to research the subject of Occupational Health provision and to source a potential provider to compliment this existing service.
Scottish Building staff have met with representatives of the HSE, UCATT and the Building and Civil Engineering Holiday Scheme Management (B and CE) to discuss the details of the proposed scheme and a positive reception with an indicator of potential support was received from all parties.
Staff researched many companies whom we felt could best provide the 'one-stop shop' approach to Occupational Services we required for our members and which would specifically benefit our small to medium sized members, who may not be aware of how to access services individually, and who make up a large proportion of the Federation's overall membership.
After analysing the findings, it was clear that the best company for the job was Healthsure.
Established in 1991, they provide a comprehensive range of Occupational Health care services and health screening.
They aim to assist companies in the cost-effective management of employee health and geographically, they commit to providing coverage thought the UK.
Once in place, the service would work by Scottish Building's members phoning the Human Resource (HR) department with their issue where guidance, advice and practical help would be provided as appropriate.
This part of the service is currently in place and many of the queries in terms of legal or procedural advice can be, and are, dealt with here.
However, if the issue required qualified medical advice, a health report or specialist input, then the member would be referred to Healthsure by the HR department.
The member would then have up to half hour free telephone contact, per issue, to hopefully resolve the problem, or alternatively avail themselves of the other services Healthsure provide at a discounted rate.
Scottish Building will gather management information relating to the usage of the scheme once it is operational.
This information will be provided on a monthly basis and will include items such as: Number of calls received; Size of company (no.
of employees/workers); Main area of activity/business; Site visits (to include Health Screening) and Toolbox talks, and so on.
Taking into account other such schemes currently operating within the construction industry which we believe are comparable, Scottish Building envisages a 'slow burn' in terms of uptake in the first instance.
To remedy this we have identified member companies who are willing to act as 'guinea pigs' on our behalf.
We will identify all the benefits of the service and relay the information to fellow member companies.
Occupational Health's criteria is vast, and in order for Healthsure to be effective with the limited resources available at this time, Scottish Building has made the decision to limit our service to two main threads.
From experience it would appear that Scottish Building members have two main Occupational Health requirements:.
(a) Dealing with a specific health issue of one or more of their workers.
(b) Looking for advice/guidance on how to ensure that the 'health' in Health and Safety is not forgotten.
'Best practice' advice to protect their workers health.
Area (a) will be handled by Healthsure whilst area (b) will fall within the remit of NHBC Health and Safety Services, who are already partners with Scottish Building in the area of Health and Safety.
By starting small and ensuring that the service meets the needs of its members, Scottish Building believe they will provide a solid platform from which to develop the scheme, always keeping members' needs at the forefront of its mind.
The health of the workforce is a fundamental concern for all in Construction.
The workforce is aging and naturally as people get older, health can begin to suffer.
Scottish Building's aim is to assist members to maintain, through 'best practice', and if required, speedy intervention, the health of their workers, thus retaining the skills and experience that they bring to the workplace for as long as possible.
The key is to always keep in mind that this experience is what helps train our next generation of competent workers.
Occupational Health must not be seen as something which is 'done' to workers and particularly older workers.
We must engage the workforce to participate in this service which ultimately will have positive benefits for them as well as our member companies.
Apprentices and young people coming into construction will also benefit from 'best practice' on site, health screening and other Occupational Health services.
By starting from day one and considering the health of these new entrants, it will hopefully ensure they stay in construction for the duration of their working lives.
The retention of workers is immensely important - training craft operatives is no quick process.
Occupational Health should ensure both they and their employers benefit from the training and the resources invested therein for the optimum amount of time.
It is anticipated that the formal launch will take place during November/December 2005.
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