TUC Issues Advice On Healthy Workplaces

Following on from the Governments campaign to address the issue of sickness levels amongst the UK workforce, the TUC has issued guidance for safety reps on health promotion initiatives at work.

It says 'lifestyle' initiatives introduced by employers have their role, but says most of us spend most of our waking hours at work in conditions created by the employer, so employers should first make sure that work hazards are addressed.

The guide says: 'Healthy working has to start with how we work. Unions know that the most effective way of promoting health at work is prevention, which is why we try to ensure that workers are protected from being made ill through overwork, stress, exposure to dangerous chemicals and unsafe working practices.' It adds: 'The biggest lifestyle gains can be made through reducing stress, long hours and introducing policies that promote 'work-life balance', but there are also other steps that employers can take to help support workers who want to live a healthier lifestyle.'

The guide covers issues including exercise classes, access to a gym, cycling, healthy eating and health surveillance.

Whilst the government is promoting healthy workplaces through its Health Work and Wellbeing campaign aimed at changing employers attitude toward health promotion in the workplace, in the North West the Liverpool Primary Care Trust is concentrating on several key elements which effect workplace health and safety.

These issues are, alcohol awareness, diet & exercise, and Mental Health.

Working in partnership with a local charity based organisation, Health@Work, the campaign involves visiting business in Liverpool and helping them promote healthy lifestyles amongst their employees and a healthy working environment. This involves changing or adding to company policies and offering healthy diet options in the workplace, providing information and advice for their employees and perhaps holding events such as healthy lifestyle promotion days or smaller lunch time events.

A whole range of information and services is provided free of cost to employers, including alcohol and sensible drinking information, policies around the three themes that the companies can use and add to their own health and safety policies, and even free passes to local Gyms, pedometers and weight loss and exercise challenges. Provision of free fruit deliveries is one initiative that has gone down well and focused people's minds on a healthier diet.

The key approach here is to work with the employer and promote involvement of the workforce of any changes made. for example providing healthy eating options in addition to vending machines which supply sweats, snacks and soft drinks, or adding to the menu items where staff canteens exist. Providing cycle racks in company car parks or offering interest free loans to use on public transport or to buy a bicycle.

Unionsafety has reported previously on the Liverpool Clarity Campaign which ran earlier this year and focused on sensible alcohol drinking and health awareness. The information available at the time has been added to and now included in the HWWB initiative.

Further information can be obtained from several sources:

TUC Guide on Health Promotions at Work

Health@Work website

Health, Work and Wellbeing website

Creating a Healthy Workplace Report

Source: Unionsafety / TUC Risks

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