Employers encouraged to work towards improving workplace Health, Safety and Wellbeing

by Gráinne Connnolly

Derry City and Strabane District Council is joining forces with Health@Work NI to encourage employers to develop and implement practices which will improve conditions for their workforce.

The Health@Work Initiative is a collaborative scheme aimed at creating a healthier working environment, which will in turn create a happier and more productive workforce. Health@Work, with the support of the Public Health Agency, has been leading the way in promoting health in the workplace in partnership with a range of agencies across all sectors.
 

 Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh, urged employers to avail of the advice and support on offer.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to improve their workplace and productivity by introducing measures which will create a more positive working environment for their staff.

“By making small but sensible changes employers can make a big impact on the health and well-being of their employees and ensure a more positive experience for everyone.

“Council is committed to helping small businesses improve standards and to conduct their business without risk or harm to employees or the public. Any business interested in finding out more can contact Council or Health@Work NI, who will assist in devising a programme suited to their workplace.”

Council’s Health and Safety and Consumer Protection team already provide support and advice to businesses, employees and members of the public, enforcing health and safety law through inspection of workplaces and the investigation of accidents and complaints. 

As part of their existing work, Health@Work NI assess staff wellbeing using an online wellbeing survey and develop a structured wellbeing plan for employers using a holistic approach to workplace health.
 

The two services will work in partnership to share guidance information on health and safety management and to signpost these workplaces to Council’s Environmental Health Officers, if they require any further information or assistance regarding health and safety at work.
 

Welcoming the launch, Sabrina Moore from Health@Work NI, said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with council to promote workplace health, safety and wellbeing. 

"We spend a third of our waking lives at work, so it’s important that employers recognise that having a mentally and physically healthy workforce and healthy working environment, in turn creates a healthy, happy and safe workplace, for both employers and employees. I would encourage all employers to avail of the free support and advice on offer.”

It’s essential that employers keep themselves up to date on all health and safety issues relevant to their business.

Council’s Health and Safety and Consumer Protection Team have produced a Health and Safety Newsletter designed to help inform employers and small businesses about topical health and safety issues, some requirements of the legislation and to highlight some matters which are a priority area, as part of the Environmental Health Service’s health and safety work programme. 

This newsletter also details examples of health and safety requirements that may apply to businesses. 

Further information on the work of the Health and Safety and Consumer Protection Team and on health and safety at work, is available from the Derry City and Strabane District Council website:  www.derrystrabane.com/Subsites/Environmental-Health/Health-Safety-and-Consumer-Protection-Team

You can find out more about Health@Work NI at www.healthatworkni.com or if you would like to find out how you can develop a structured wellbeing plan for employers, contact sabrina@dhcni.com