Volunteers wanted for Pilot Project
December 1st 2005

The Health and Safety Executive are calling for small and medium enterprises to take part in a pilot project with the aim of reducing ill-health in construction.

The construction industry is one of the largest in the UK, employing up to 2 million people. Collectively, costing up to £180m a year, it is estimated that 96 000 workers whose current or most recent job was in construction, suffered from ill health caused or made worse by their work.

Based on these figures, the HSE has developed an Occupational Health Management Model, providing advice to construction companies on how to manage issues such as manual handling, hand arm vibration, noise-induced hearing loss and dermatitis.

The model is currently being piloted with companies who have signed up to test the model which is in the form of a flow chart. However, more are needed to effectively evaluate the model's content and structure and to provide feedback.

Those testing the model will be able to look at their current health management processes and decide what, if any, changes need to be implemented.

All pilotees will be provided with a detailed paper explaining the OHMM in detail, a CD containing a draft of the OHMM, contact details for ongoing HSE support and a confidential baseline questionnaire.

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