Undoubtedly, there are tough times in the construction industry; survival and success for many companies is going to depend on the retention and sustainability of their workforces.
It is imperative that employers properly invest in safeguarding the work-related health and safety of their employees if they are to succeed during economic recovery. But, how can FMB members implement good practice if information is hard to find and, more importantly, specialist support is needed to ensure standards are met? Enter, Constructing Better Health. (CBH)
Construction industry's only set of National Standards
CBH is responsible for delivering the first ever national scheme for the management of occupational health in the industry, which includes setting national standards for both work-related health issues and competency of occupational health provision. Michelle Aldous Chief Executive officer of CBH, explained: “Our focus is on making it as easy as possible for employers to access advice, information and support to implement occupational health best practice. But more than that, we act as a conduit between employer and accredited occupational health service providers so that the two can work together as effectively as possible.”
CBH is in a unique position of bringing together employers and occupational health service providers and creating a centralised knowledge portal of construction-specific workrelated health data, which has never been done before. By creating this hub, employers should have no excuse for neglecting the occupational health of their workers. Michelle Aldous added: “CBH is very much a demonstration, at site level, that an employer is properly looking after its workforce and is committed to improving work-related health issues to ensure longterm survival.”
Why do you need CBH?
National Director for Health and Work, Dame Carol Black, who published her review of the health of the working age population, ‘Working for a healthier tomorrow’ in March, believes that the CBH initiative is of vital importance, not only for the health and well-being of construction workers, but also for the future economic prosperity of the industry. She said: “The UK has become one of the world leaders in protecting the safety of employees, but safety is only one side of the coin - health and wellbeing is of equal importance and cannot be overlooked.
“If the construction industry is prepared to make the investment in wellness programmes it will reap the rewards in terms not only of the bottom line, but reduced sickness absence, reduced staff turnover, reduced resource allocation, and higher productivity.”
CBH and CSCS
In March 2009, Constructing Better Health (CBH) and the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) merged to add further value to the CSCS Scheme and support the needs of the construction industry for the management of proof of competency and work-related health.
By working together, CBH and CSCS will be able to provide a comprehensive management framework to help the construction industry’s aim of achieving a better skilled and healthier workforce.
Brian Adams, Chief Executive of CSCS commented: “CSCS’ dual aims are to increase competency of the workforce and improve its health and safety. Working with CBH will enable the scheme significantly to broaden the scope of these objectives.”
Michelle Aldous added: “This is a very natural fit of two organisations. For contractors it is crucial that they can demonstrate that their workforce not only has the right skills and qualifications, but is also able to carry out their work without it affecting their health, or the health and safety of others.”
Full details of CBH can be found on the website at www.constructingbetterhealth.co.uk, or for more information telephone 0845 873 7726.
