Health in the Workplace – the past and the future Toni Smith Lifestyle at Work (Swindon) and Food Standards Agency South West

The Past Lifestyle at Work –Self-funding/income generating –Partnership initiative between Health Promotion Services Swindon and Swindon Borough Council –Targeted at larger businesses (100+ employees) in Swindon and surrounding area

Services provided Exhibition with evaluation report Weight management courses Stress management courses Smoking cessation courses Physical activity sessions Help, advice and support

Exhibition 1, 2, or three day exhibition See up to 200 people each day 8 stands to visit Employer commitment to releasing all staff that wish to attend Free swim pass for a swim in EACH of the six local authority pools for those attending

Stands at exhibition Besides blood pressure all stands are optional: –Blood Pressure –Height, weight and body fat –Healthy eating (balance of good health, quiz) –Physical activity (YMCA step test) –Alcohol (what is a unit, safe drinking, drunken glasses) –Smoking (testing smokers and passive smokers) –Stress (on-site massage, identifying stressors) All stands provide help, advice and signposting to support

Evaluation Report Information is recorded on ALL stands and the results in % shared with the organisation helping identify key areas of workplace concern for employees as well has providing a profile of the health of those who attended the exhibition On average, 40% - 60% of employees attend an exhibition

The Future Can Enforcement Officers help improve workplace health?

The need for change Hampton ‘Reducing Administrative Burdens’ 2005 Perceived as very command and control –Numbers of inspections –Name and shame –Activity rather than outcome focuses Constraining rather than innovative

The need for change Need for better evidence base Greater intervention mix needed for improved and more sustainable compliance by businesses Agency doubts over efficacy of current arrangements – best use of resources? Wider Government agenda driving need for change of approach

The Costs of Obesity 30,000 deaths a year 18 million sick days a year Obesity shortens life by 9 years on average £1/2 billion costs to NHS £2.5 billion impact on the economy By % of men and 28% of women are projected to obese Public Affairs Committee January 2002

Examples of what enforcement officers are already doing to improve health –Safer Food Better Business (11,000 businesses in the South West) –Food Hygiene and Nutrition Awards –Scores on the Doors schemes –Food Safety Week/Hygiene in the Home –Supporting Healthy Schools –Smoking regulation and advice/help –Food sampling and inspections –Implementing FSA Guidelines on nutrition and standards for major institutions –Product labelling testing –Variations on Health at Work awards (eg Chefs in Cornwall) –Food hygiene and health and safety training –Information on scams and rogue traders –Support for Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative –Consumer awareness campaigns (traffic light labelling, salt)

Examples of health improvement initiatives with FSA funding Bristol – cooking skills in the community (with PCT) Mid Devon – cooking skills in the community (with PCT) Exeter - cooking skills for children at risk of exclusion (with college Somerset – DVD on food hygiene and health eating for adults with learning disabilities Bath and North East Somerset – hygiene pack for independent living for adults with learning difficulties Plymouth City Council – hygiene and health eating for U5s (Sure start) Taunton Deane – food hygiene for primary school children - Foodo North Dorset – whole school initiative

To conclude There is a role for enforcement officers (Trading Standards and Environmental Health) to deliver initiatives to improve health in the workplace.

Contact Toni Smith Regional Coordinator – South West Food Standards Agency GOSW 2 Rivergate Temple Quay Bristol BS1 6EH Tel: Mobile: