Healthy Working Lives Bulletin

October 2016

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(1) http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00496905.pdf (2) http://www.healthscotland.com/equalities/health-inequalities/index.aspx(3) http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/26039-Good%20work%20for%20all.pdf(4) http://www.nhs.uk/news/2014/12December/Pages/Shift-workers-more-likely-to-report-poor-health.aspx)(5) http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/stress/

Many people have acknowledged

that they want the workplace

to be one of the settings out-with

the NHS to provide

information and support on

improving health.

http://www.gov.scot/Re-

source/0049/00496905.pdf

Health InequalitiesConsiderable progress has been made in improving the health of individuals in Scotland. The average healthy life expectancy (healthy life expectancy is the estimated length of time someone might live in a ‘healthy’ state for) has improved greatly over the past twenty years. However - significant gaps still exist between certain groups, for example healthy life expectancy for the richest communities is about 23 years longer than the poorest (1).

Deprivation is a key cause of this difference in healthy life expectancy, however other factors also play a role including quality of work and income, the type of environment someone lives in such as the quality of housing, educational opportunities and childhood experiences. Health inequalities are unfair because they come from aspects beyond an individual’s control to change (2).

Work and health inequalities: Key Messages

• Good work provides an income, a good social network and gives people a purpose (3).

• Unfortunately not all work is good for health. Up to a third of jobs fail to pull families out of poverty and some work can increase a worker’s risk of illness, injury or poor mental health (3).

• Although every individual has a responsibility to look after his or her health, much needs to be done in society to ensure everyone has equal opportunities, education and access to do this. As individuals can spend up to 60% of their time at work, workplaces can play a key role in this.

• Many groups of workers will be at greater risk of poor health due to the nature of the work they do. For example, night workers and shift workers can be at risk of poorer health (4), those in public service roles report higher rates of stress, anxiety, depression (5) and lower paid workers are at a greater risk of poor health (3).

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What can workplaces do?

• Faced with an ageing workforce and a high proportion of workers suffering chronic health problems, there is a good business case for investing in health.

• Workplaces can improve health by:

- Paying a fair wage and having good in-work benefits. - Providing working policies that promote a good work-life balance and support commitments outside work. - Providing a safe environment where the risk of illness and accidents are reduced. - Ensuring individuals have the opportunities to make healthy choices while at work e.g. providing showers at work to encourage active travel or providing healthy eating options. - Providing information and encouragement to support staff to make healthy life choices, particularly groups who may be at a greater risk of health inequalities. - Providing financial incentives to improve health (e.g. cycle to work scheme/gym memberships/low cost healthy food options). - Promoting good mental wellbeing and reducing the stigma of mental illness.

To arrange a FREE consultation to discuss employee health and wellbeing contact: elainehaston@nhs.net

Paths For All Autumn Step Challenge has launched an Autumn Special!Article written by Paths for All

Dust off your pedometer, dig out your scarf and gloves, the Walk at Work Step Count Challenge is back for an extra special autumn challenge!

The nights may be drawing in and there is a definite chill in the air but this is a great time of year to get out and enjoy a crisp walk to work or kick leaves on a lunchtime stroll. The Walk at Work Step Count Challenge is designed to get workplaces walking.

The challenge starts on Monday 31st October and lasts for 4 weeks and you can register and find out more at www.stepcount.org.uk. You need to enter as a team of 5 people and your workplace can enter as many teams as you like.

Pedometers can be bought for your team at £5 each or you can use your own favourite pedometer, app or gadget. You’ll get a user account where you can record your daily steps, share comments with your team and track your team’s progress on our leaderboards. There will be the usual competitions, prizes and more.

Wrap up and join us on our autumn challenge to walk more and feel the difference.

For enquiries please email:walkatwork@pathsforall.org.uk

How many teams can YOUR organisation sign up?

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FREE Support Available from the NHS

1. Occupational Health & Safety Advice

For a free and confidential workplace Health and Safety visit.

Contact Occupational Health and Safety Adviser, Tom Neilson at tneilson@nhs.net

2. Workplace Health Advice

Local workplace health promotion advisers based in Forth Valley are available to work with organisations who are looking to improve staff health. Advisers can offer advice and support on health and wellbeing campaigns, the development of policies and evidence based best practice to improve staff health and wellbeing. A suite of training is also freely available to organisations throughout Forth Valley.

To arrange a visit please contact: alison.mackay13@nhs.net or m.walsh@nhs.net.

3. Healthy Working Lives Award

This is a nationally run award for organisations who want to adopt a structured programme to improve staff health and wellbeing. Beginning with Bronze and progressing through Silver and Gold organisations have access to local advisers to guide them through building a holistic health and wellbeing programme.

For more information visit: http://nhsforthvalley.com/health-services/health-promotion/healthy-working-lives/

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7. Working Health Services

This aims to assist self-employed and employees of small enterprises employing less than 50 employees who are experiencing injury or ill health and having difficulty remaining at work. Individuals can self-refer by calling 0800 019 2211. Employees taking part in this service may be able to access physiotherapy, occupational therapy and counselling to help them to remain at work.

http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/Legislation-and-policy/work-related-illness-injury/vocational-rehabilitation/working-health-services-scotland/about-working-health-services-scotland

4. Stop Smoking at Work

Smoking is the single biggest thing you can do for your health. Stop smoking advice services can be delivered in the workplace as either one-to-one or group support.

To find out more contact: m.walsh@nhs.net.

5. HIRS Resource Library

Do you want to run a health promotion campaign? Need some resources? These are all freely available from NHS Forth Valley.

http://nhsforthvalley.com/health-services/health-promotion/resources-and-design/hirs-library/

6. Fit for Work Scotland

Any employee who has been absent for 4 weeks or more may be eligible for a free work-focussed assessment to help them back to work. Employees can be referred to the service by their GP or employer and will receive a FREE, back to work plan. With an employee’s consent, this back to work plan can be shared with the individual’s work and GP.

Find out more at www.fitforworkscotland.scot

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Focus On Your FamilyA new campaign to encourage families to lead a healthier lifestyle has been launched by the NHS Forth Valley Nutrition and Dietetic Health Improvement Team. The webpage will be hosted on the hugely popular Choose to Lose site and will feature useful links, games, apps, recipes and family monitoring worksheets.

Public Health Dietitian - Pamela Murray says:

“Eating habits have changed over the years and parents and carers can play an active role in helping their family make changes that will last a lifetime. Children feel secure and more confident at making changes when they see other family members becoming involved. Whether you’re an adult or a child, managing your weight can be an ongoing struggle. Support and encouragement from friends and family plays a major role in the success of managing family weights.”

Research has shown that a family-based approach is best and the new webpage lists important first steps. These include setting a good example by focusing on healthier family food choices, making fitness fun for the whole family and limiting sitting time.

The new webpage offers:

• Practical advice and information to help families work together to develop a healthier and more active lifestyle.

• Downloadable resources, quick & easy recipes and a fun family workbook which includes meal planners, reward charts, a change checker chart and fun fitness file.

If you would like further information or to request a campaign briefing pack then email: pamela.murray1@nhs.net

http://nhsforthvalley.com/health-services/health-promotion/nutrition/choose-to-lose/

In 2014, around one in six

children were at risk of obesity

with a further 14% at risk of

being overweight.

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/

Statistics/Browse/Health/

TrendObesity

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Examples of Good PracticeSCRA explains what they have been doing to support their employees’ mental wellbeing. (Article written by SCRA)

Mindfulness in Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration (SCRA)

A well-being initiative ‘Mindfulness’ is currently being rolled out across offices in the Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration (SCRA). Mindfulness is a way of training the mind to be present. It is a secular meditative practice, which involves paying attention to what is happening as it happens, with an attitude of kindness, acceptance and non-judgement.

‘Mindfulness’ does not conflict with any beliefs or tradition (religion, culture or science). It is a simple practice to help people notice thoughts, physical sensations, sights, sounds, smells - anything they might not normally be aware of. In essence, the ‘Mindfulness’ approach is simple but requires patience and persistence to develop the practice. The benefits of ‘Mindfulness’ have been evidenced in many studies and show that it can with regular practice, positively impact on emotional wellbeing, physical health and the ability to cope with stress and challenges.

According to the Health & Safety

Executive, In 2015/2015, stress

accounted for 35% of all work

related ill health cases and 43%

of all working days lost due to ill

health.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/

causdis/stress/stress.pdf

Working with individuals, families or communities who may be at risk of health inequalities? Do you want your staff to be equipped with the skills to promote positive health messages to the community they work with?

Then FREE Health Behaviour Change training may be for you.

The next training dates take place on:

24th October 2016and10th January 2017 Stirling Community Hospital

For further details please telephone: 01324 - 673524.

For more details on this training and to find out what other FREE training opportunities are available from NHS Forth Valley’s Health Promotion Department visit:

http://nhsforthvalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Health-Promotion-Service-Training-Brochure.pdf

To date, SCRA have ran ‘Mindfulness’ sessions within 5 of its offices and delivered 6, weekly sessions of an hour each to over 50 staff. The sessions are tailored to each group and provide practical techniques to help cope with stress and anxiety at work. During each session participants are introduced to a new technique, providing them with a variety of options from which to choose those best suited to their own individual needs and personalities.

At the beginning and the end of the 6 sessions, participants were asked to complete a ‘perceived stress scale’ to establish evidence for any changes in how they cope with stress. The results suggested that staff who attended the sessions felt better able to cope with things they have control over and more able to accept and let go of the things they don’t. Staff also reported differences in their ways of thinking, felt better equipped to not dwell on things and more able to bring their focus into the present moment.

The sessions were written and delivered by Kelly Laing, a Support Administrator with SCRA.

A qualified relax kids coach and youth ‘Mindfulness’ teacher, Kelly used her knowledge and experience to adapt and implement a course to help target the needs of employees and specific challenges faced within the organisation.

Kelly explained:

“The feedback from staff has been really positive. It was great to see them so open and willing to try ‘Mindfulness’ and then seeing the benefits afterwards.”

SCRA is keen that ‘Mindfulness’ becomes embedded within the workplace and aspire to find ways to continue to develop and deliver further sessions within the organisation.

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Manual HandlingPut simply, manual handling means the moving of loads either by lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing or pulling and injuries connected to these tasks can occur anywhere at work - from building sites to hospitals, laboratories to schools.

Incorrect manual handling is one of the most common causes of injury at work, responsible for around a third of all reported ‘over-three-day’ injuries to employees. This is perhaps unsurprising given that nearly everyone at work will be required at some point to lift, carry or move something - from warehouse staff lifting goods to office workers carrying boxes and construction workers moving concrete blocks.

As a result, it is essential for employers to assess and control the risks from hazardous manual handling - for example, by providing suitable mechanical handling aids and staff training. In this way, organisations can keep their workers safe from injury while avoiding the unnecessary costs associated with staff absence, loss of productivity and compensation claims that can result from manual handling injuries.

Reducing the Risks

There are a variety of steps employers can take to reduce the risk of manual handling injury and the risk assessment and published HSE guidance will provide an indication of suitable measures to take. As stated, the first step should always be to use lifting aids, such as lift trucks, electric or hand-powered hoists, conveyors and sack trucks. A variety are available, including:

• Simple tools - such as lifting hooks that can help when raising sheets of glass or large, awkward loads.

• Manually-powered trolleys - such as sack and platform trucks and simple trolleys.

• Automated tugs - such as pedestrian operated and electrically-powered tugs or trolleys.

• Lift trucks - such as reach trucks for use in warehouses with narrow aisles.

• Conveyors - which can transport loads between different heights and can sometimes be inclined so loads can move under their own weight.

• Cranes and hoists - these range from powered, overhead vacuum lifters that support a load’s weight while the operator controls its position to overhead cranes that travel along a rail above the work area.

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2016 National CampaignsStuck for Inspiration?

NHS Grampian have produced a handy calendar of national campaigns for 2016.

visit: http://www.hi-netgrampian.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/HI-Net-Health-Campaigns-Calendar-2016.pdf

to download the calendar.

Finally

With manual handling accounting for almost three in ten of all reported injuries to employees in Britain, it makes clear sense for employers to take steps to tackle the risks it poses. However, many of the steps required to ensure the safe movement of objects and goods at work are relatively simple to implement - such as the provision of trolleys and employee training on safe lifting techniques. In this way, employers can protect workers from painful aches and pains associated with conditions such as back pain, while protecting themselves from the financial costs and damage to their reputation associated with staff absence, lower productivity and possible compensation claims relating to preventable MSDs.

More information on manual handling at work can be accessed at:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/mac/

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Health, Safety and Wellbeing Training Programme

For more information on the above workshops contact:Tom Neilson 07795 801 465 or by e-mail: tneilson@nhs.net.

To access the full health promotion training brochure visit:http://nhsforthvalley.com/health-services/health-promotion/health-promotion-service-training/

SeptemberFire Risk Assessment (RA)The Workshop aims to raise awareness of the moral and legal requirement for carrying out a FRA. It includes interactive sessions on the methodology to adopt when carrying out a FRA, a DVD, a practical exercise and an interactive quiz.

When: Friday 30th September from 09:30 - 12:30Where Enterprise House, StirlingCost: £20:00 + VATBooking tel - reception 01786 463416 or bye-mail reception@stepstirling.co.uk

OctoberHealth and Safety PolicyThe workshop aims to raise awareness of the moral and legal requirement for writing and introducing a health and safety policy statement. It includes interactive sessions on basic health and safety at work, a practical exercise and an interactive quiz.

When: Wednesday 19th October from 09:30 - 12:30Where: Gean House, AlloaCost: £15:00 + VATBooking tel - 01259 726430 or by e-mailaharrick@ceteris.co.uk

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Risk Assessment (COSHH RA)The workshop aims to raise awareness of the moral and legal requirement for carrying out a COSHHRA. It includes interactive sessions on the methodology to adopt when carrying out a COSHHRA, a DVD, a practical exercise and an interactive quiz.

When: Friday 28th October from 09:30 - 12:30Where: Enterprise House, StirlingCost: £20:00 + VATBooking tel - reception 01786 463416 or bye-mail reception@stepstirling.co.uk

NovemberManual Handling Risk Assessment (MHRA)The workshop aims to raise awareness of the moral and legal requirement for carrying out a MHRA. It includes interactive sessions on the methodology to adopt when carrying out a MHRA, a DVD, a practical exercise and an interactive quiz.

When: Friday 25th November from 09:30 - 12:30Where: Enterprise House, StirlingCost: £20:00 + VATBooking tel - reception 01786 463416 or bye-mail reception@stepstirling.co.uk

DecemberRisk Assessment (RA)The workshop aims to raise awareness of the moral and legal requirement for carrying out a COSHHRA. It includes interactive sessions on the methodology to adopt when carrying out a COSHHRA, a DVD, a practical exercise and an interactive quiz.

When: Thursday 8th December from 09:30 - 12:30Where: Gean House, AlloaCost: £15:00 + VATBooking tel - 01259 726430 or by e-mailaharrick@ceteris.co.uk

Risk Assessment (RA)The Workshop aims to raise awareness of the moral and legal requirement for carrying out a RA. It includes interactive sessions on the methodology to adopt when carrying out a RA, a DVD, a practical exercise and an interactive quiz.

When: Friday 9th December from 09:30 - 12:30Where: Enterprise House, StirlingCost: £20:00 + VATBooking tel - reception 01786 463416 or bye-mail reception@stepstirling.co.uk