1. Can we start with some facts?
According to Constructing Better Health, a membership scheme for contractors, clients and suppliers, the construction industry accounts for less than 10% of the UK’s working population, but 56% of all male occupational cancer registrations are construction-related. And only 46% of men working in the sector are still able to do the job when they hit 60.
2. I didn’t know that
It’s not surprising. When it comes to health, confusion reigns. Many employers in the industry do not understand what is required of them, and there is no established tradition of monitoring the workforce’s occupational health. The fact is that much of the labour force is casual and transient, and it’s easy to see why the health of site workers is a DIY issue for many firms.
3. What can employers do?
One option is to sign up to a Department of Health scheme called the “Public Health Responsibility Deal”, which works with companies to improve the health prospects of their employees. There are five strands: food, alcohol, behavioural change, physical activity and health at work. Employers sign a pledge suited to their industry – for construction and civil engineering it’s called “H10”.
4. What does that involve?
Signatories pledge to “manage the causes of occupational disease and take action to improve the health and wellbeing of people working across offices and sites large and small”. Firms commit to at least one of the following: either the annual reporting of the health and wellbeing of employees, or the provision of a clinical occupational health services, or the development of a programme to promote health and wellbeing. Where relevant, signatories also pledge to encourage subcontractors and supply chains to endorse at least one of the actions, too.
5. What can clients do?
Crossrail, Heathrow Terminal 5 and the Olympic Park are examples of projects where clients took a lead in offering a site-based health service. But Crossrail has realised that real change only comes about if all employers take direct control, so it mandated every supplier to register with Constructing Better Health (CBH) and demonstrate all employees are being properly assessed and supported.
Adapted from new guidance from Constructing Excellence
