REAL ESTATE: LAND SECURITIES
“In terms of health
and wellbeing at Land
Securities, we want to
ensure that the people
working on our projects
are not exposed to the
risks of occupational
disease so they can enjoy
longer, healthier and
happier retirements.”
When asked what advice he would give other
organisations aiming for equally high health and safety
standards and culture, Johnson said:
“The role of the client is crucial to the success of any
construction project because they can set the tone of their
expectations (the ripple effect - whatever we say flows
down the supply chain). Land Securities puts all those
expectations in its tender documents so all contractors
know what they need to align themselves with before they
even put a spade in the ground.
“Land Securities transparent approach makes people
realise that we are open and honest in everything we do.
For us good health and safety starts with good governance.
In turn that should inspire a culture of respect, awareness
and continuous improvement. What you see is what you
get. I’m really proud to be part of that.”
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Johnson continued, “Health in construction is area that
I personally, have been heavily involved in since we last
spoke in 2014.
“In terms of health and wellbeing at Land Securities, we
want to ensure that the people working on our projects are
not exposed to the risks of occupational disease so they
can enjoy longer, healthier and happier retirements.
“Last year we increased our requirements on principal
contractors and now we must make provisions for
occupational health schemes on all construction projects
which require formal notification. Within the business, we
sent out our first wellbeing questionnaire to employees
last year. This was designed to find out what wellbeing
concerns and needs people have and the responses
received will inform the design of our long-term health and
wellbeing strategy.
“As with all of our health and safety activity, we aim
to be a leader in our industry. In 2014 we became
OHSAS 18001-certified. This internationally recognised
accreditation is the benchmark for Health and Safety
Management Systems. Together with our ISO14001
accreditation for Environmental Management, both health
and safety procedures and environmental management
are being carried out to the same high level – consistently –
across the entire Company.”
HEALTH IN CONSTRUCTION – LEADING THE WAY
It is estimated that UK construction workers are 100
times more likely to die from occupational diseases
than accidents. Exposu