Assessments has helped to gather baseline data on staff
health. This has enabled ADSL to adopt a risk based approach
and move from annual checks to three yearly checks. Staff
feedback ensures that the program continues to work and that
staff feel its full value.
Data derived from the program has highlighted the most
common reasons for absence and ADSL’s wellbeing initiatives
have been targeted accordingly.
Back pain and musculo-skeletal issues were top of the
list, followed by stress. Know Your Numbers sessions have
provided general health checks for all employees. Involvement
in the NHS Stoptober Quit Smoking Campaign and annual flu
jabs for all staff every autumn have further improved health
and wellbeing at ADSL.
The Employee Assistance Program provides additional
support. It includes a 24 hour helpline run by BUPA, which
provides free and confidential advice, counselling and support
on a variety of issues.
The numbers speak for themselves. In 2011, the lost time
rate was 4.2%. By 2013, this had reduced to 3.2%, a reduction
that has more than validated the return on the organisation’s
investment in occupational health.
Case Study
As part of the 2013 ADSL Asbestos Awareness Campaign,
representatives of the organisation (alongside business
partners, clients and customers) attended an Asbestos
Removal Awareness event, held in November at the Aspire
Business Centre (ABC) in Tidworth.
More than 70 delegates were guided step by step through
a mocked up site compound and working Asbestos Removal
Enclosure via a Decontamination Unit and Three-Stage Airlock.
Delegates were then shown what documentation must be
held on site by the Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors
(LARC) and given the opportunity to handle specialist plant and
equipment used by the LARC.
Karen Bradbury, ADSL Estates Administrator at TidNBul
said: “You made it a very welcoming and relaxed enough
atmosphere to learn and make everyone feel on the same level
while keeping the seriousness of Asbestos Danger at all times.”
Steve Chivers, Rollalong Ltd Services Divisional Manager
also commented: “The event was very useful both in terms
of being informative around the subject matter and from a
general networking perspective with ADSL and its suppliers.”
Bernice Gunn, ADSL Estates General Manager, Aldershot
said