The Major Contractors Group (MCG) launched its Occupational Health Strategy last month, which aims to reduce deafness, vibration white finger, dermatitis and other sicknesses in construction by surveillance, education, rehabilitation and reducing exposure to causes of ill-health.
The strategy's basic purpose is to keep workers in the industry even if they've been affected by occupational ill-health, and protect them from further damage.

The document, available for download at www.thecc.org.uk, recognises that workers are often suspicious of employers' "interest" in occupational ill-health, believing it to be an excuse for making redundancies. To counteract this the strategy promotes active workforce consultation, and describes proven methods of consultation.

The strategy targets four occupational diseases: hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), dermatitis, muscular skeletal disorders (MSDs), and noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).

As a minimum, the strategy prescribes health assessments for groups of workers exposed to risks that could lead these disorders.

A spokesperson for MCG's Health and Safety Working Group said: "Tackling occupational ill-health is an integral part of the MCG's drive aimed at ensuring the well-being of those who work in our industry and represents a win for all concerned – workforce, employers, health services and government."

Source

Construction Manager