Pledge to improve workforce health and wellbeing
Too many of us are eating too much, drinking too much and not doing enough physical activity. More and more people are being diagnosed with chronic conditions, such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Staff are a vital resource and nowhere is this is more true than in the construction and civil engineering industries, where workers have a higher overall mortality rate than the general working population.
At M.B.Roche & Sons Ltd, a local family run civil engineering company we are taking voluntary action to help people lead healthier lives and signed up to the government’s Public Health Responsibility Deal.
Public Health Minister Jane Ellison said:
The construction industry is a vital part of the UK economy and it is important we do all that we can to sustain a healthy workforce. Builders often work in difficult and demanding environments and we must support them to ensure their health is not put at risk. It’s great that so many firms are making the health of their staff a priority on their sites
Proactively managing employees’ physical and mental health brings important business benefits including a reduction of sickness absence, increased productivity, reduction in lost time due to accidents and associated costs, greater staff engagement, reduced staff turnover and increased profitability. A fitter, healthier workforce is more engaged, efficient and productive and makes sound business sense. It also sends a positive message, not only to employees but to customers, clients and your wider community
M.B.Roche Sons Ltd are encouraging other Hull & Yorkshire based construction firms to join them in signing up to the pledge as the Public Health Responsibility Deal suggests that employees are more likely to take increased responsibility for their own health and wellbeing if they see a genuine commitment at the most senior level of the organisation to safeguarding and improving workplace health. For employees, keeping well and in work protects against financial hardship, promotes a better quality of life and allows people to make the most of their potential.
As part of the Public Health Responsibility Deal, M.B.Roche & Sons Ltd are signed up to the 5 core commitments in relation to our employees:
1. We recognise that we have a vital role to play in improving people’s health.
2. We will encourage and enable people to adopt a healthier diet.
3. We will foster a culture of responsible drinking, which will help people to drink within guidelines.
4. We will encourage and assist people to become more physically active.
5. We will actively support our workforce to lead healthier lives.
In addition to the 5 Core Commitments, we have signed up to the industry specific H10 Pledge for Construction and Civil Engineering Industries. M.B.Roche & Sons Ltd pledge to manage the causes of occupational disease and take action to improve the health and wellbeing of our operatives. We recognise that prevention and early intervention is the key to success and will take on-going action on the following:
1. Annual reporting of the health and wellbeing of employees on issues including Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, Muscular Problems, Dermatitis and Hand Injuries, Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Respiratory Problems.
2. Arrangements to develop a programme to actively promote health and wellbeing and the effective management of health such as smoking cessation and promoting healthy lifestyles.
