Construction sector to benefit from OH gateway to expertise

Constructing Better Health (CBH) has unveiled its latest occupational-health resource for employers – the National Construction Adviceline.

Employers that access the new free resource – launched in partnership with the Health for Work Adviceline – can obtain advice on:

• how to get an employee back to work after long-term sickness;
• managing the impact on their business of an employee taking time off work as a result of ill health;
• how to support an employee with health issues and get the most out of them while they are at work;
• encouraging and supporting an employee who is off work, but wants to return; and
• developing a working culture where illness is less likely to occur.

Michelle Aldous, chief executive of CBH, described the helpline as a gateway to expertise and called it “the next logical step” in its aim to grow a robust occupational-health culture in construction.

Depending on CBH members’ needs, different levels of service may be offered – for example, one-to-one case management by a construction-industry expert on occupational health, together with the facility to post a question, or engage in online live chat with an advisor.

Keith Johnston, chief executive of Health for Work, said: “The launch of the National Construction Adviceline illustrates the kind of sector-focused dedication to occupational health we need to nurture in the UK. We hope that this collaboration between Health for Work and CBH leads the way.”

Employers can call the National Construction Adviceline for free on 0845 873 7726.