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4 February 2005 - SME's to Benefit from
Free Health and Safety Advice
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Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME's) are to benefit from a
ground-breaking £20 Million pilot scheme, Workplace Health Direct,
enabling them to receive free health and safety advice, including prevention of
work-related ill health and getting people back to work.
The scheme, run by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), will
provide SME's with a free problem-solving service directing employers to
specialist help and a free national advice line.
The Workplace Health Direct pilots will provide the following:
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Free telephone work-related health, safety and return to work
advice for employers and workers
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Free workplace visits
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Dedicated website
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Problem-solving advice, for example on how to assess and manage
workplace risks, including help with returning to work
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Advice on specialist support from other professionals such as
physiotherapists and ergonomists.
The Workplace Health Direct model is developed by the HSE as
part of their Securing Health Together programme, with the main current
activities being as follows:
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Working with NHS Scotland to evaluate Safe and Healthy Working,
a Scotland wide occupational health support service.
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Working with the construction industry to develop Constructing
Better Health, an occupational health support service for construction workers
being piloted in Leicestershire.
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Working with Kirklees Metropolitan Council, three Primary Care
Trusts, and
Jobcentre Plus, to develop an integrated occupational health, safety and return
to work service for people in the Kirklees area of Yorkshire.
Mr. Alan Johnson, Secretary of State said:
“This is good news for British business and for people who
need help getting back into work after ill health.
“Work-related illness and injury accounts for around 39
million working days lost every year and more than 2 million people attribute
their health problems to their work. Given the right support many
conditions, such as back pain, can be managed before becoming a barrier to work.
“Workplace Help Direct will play a vital role in helping
people return to work quickly, reducing the burden on the NHS and lowering the
chance of people ending up on incapacity benefit."
Mr. Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission
(HSC) commented:
“The people best placed to manage risks to health in the
workplace are managers and their staff. They do this best by working together
and Workplace Health Direct will offer the support needed to achieve this".
The HSE will be seeking organisations who are interested in
delivering the pilots in up to 6 regions throughout the UK in March 2005 for
selections in summer 2005 and commencement in early 2006. The pilots
will have local deliveries and will have the support of a national telephone
helpline and website.
Further information on the Workplace Health Direct scheme can be
accessed by clicking the following:
HSE - Workplace Health Direct
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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