Unhealthy bosses bad for site workers
Unhealthy bosses bad for site workers
Disinterested and unconcerned site bosses are risking the health of construction workers, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) backed study has found. And contrary to 'macho' stereotypes about workers in the construction industry, site workers - unlike many site managers - are very concerned about their health and working conditions. The report on the Constructing Better Health (CBH) pilot scheme, which worked with more than 360 employers and was financed by HSE and industry contributions, has shown how involvement by construction workers far exceeded the expectations of organisers. The report's authors, experts from the Institute for Employment Studies (IES), describe how more than 1,700 workers attended voluntary health checks, and 2,600 went along to 'toolbox talks', providing training on occupational health issues. By contrast, site bosses 'rarely' took advantage of courses aimed at managers. Claire Tyers, lead author on the report, said: 'CBH has been 'myth busting'. There was a preconception that workers in the industry are irresponsible or not interested in looking after their health. The popularity of the scheme amongst workers clearly contradicts such a view.' She added: 'There are some managers within the industry who do not want to scrutinise their work practices, and who are unwilling to accept the need for organisational-level change. The research showed, for example, that the training that CBH offered which was aimed at managers was rarely taken up. These same managers, however, were often very supportive and proactive in putting forward their workers for training.' A third of the site workers screened had work-related health problems, the study found.
- IES news release. Constructing Better Health Pilot: Final Evaluation Report, HSE Research Report RR565 [pdf].
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