Constructing better health for builders

David Wilson Homes is supporting a scheme to improve Leicestershire builders' health.

The team from the Leicestershire-based occupational health support pilot, Constructing Better Health, has been visiting David Wilson Homes' sites across the county.

The team comprising health specialists is based in Enderby and is giving free and confidential health advice and checks to sub-contractors and their employees who are on site with the Ibstock-based housebuilder.

The team is led by project manager Michelle Aldous.

She comments: "Constructing Better Health is all about helping to improve the health of people who work for smaller building companies".

"So whether it's employers who need advice on what to do for their staff or individual workers, we can help".

"When we go onto site, we talk to the tradesmen about the ways in which their work has the potential to damage their health and how they can minimise the risks".

"We then invite them to be seen by our occupational health nurse to talk in more detail about their specific circumstances".

"All of these discussions are completely confidential, so unless their condition is likely to affect the safety of others, we simply alert them to possible problems and advise them what they should do, but the final decision is up to them." John Reddington, David Wilson Homes' East Midlands deputy managing director adds: "Constructing Better Health is an excellent initiative, which is providing an extremely valuable service to building subcontractors and self-employed tradesmen who make up a large proportion of the people who work in the industry".

"David Wilson Homes is delighted to offer its support to help improve workers' health." ENDS For further information on Constructing Better Health, please contact: Communications Manager Julie Clay, tel 01234 351701 email: Julie.clay5@btinternet.com or Project Director Lawrence Waterman, tel 01296 415715 email: Lawrence.waterman@sypol.com Background Information Constructing Better Health Constructing Better Health is an initiative to pilot an occupational health support service that offers free and confidential advice and support to construction workers either based or operating in Leicestershire.

Launched in 2004, the two year pilot is testing ways in which the health of employers and employees of small building companies and the self-employed so that a national scheme can be developed based on good evidence.

The preferred provider for delivery of Constructing Better Health is leading health and safety consultancy Sypol.

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