Better health at work

General union Unite, the Northern TUC and the Caterpillar construction equipment company are celebrating a health and safety collaboration through the Better health at work initiative and award scheme.

The scheme, involves appointing “health advocates”, who can be any member of the workforce, but who are often union reps.

Under the scheme, a health survey is carried out across the workforce and based on the results health strategies are then put in place. These can be in areas such as quitting smoking, cancer awareness and stress. Workshops provide support, advice and information.