Work stress link to financial squeeze

I was interested, but not surprised, to see the BBC reporting this morning that work pressures during the recession have resulted in an increase in mental health problems at work – this was revealed in a study conducted by Mind.

The Mind survey suggests that one in 11 British workers has been to the GP for stress and anxiety resulting from the recession and 7% of them said they were prescribed medicines to help them cope.

Mind believes that work related stress will soon become the largest cause of abscence from work.

Mind’s chief executive, Paul Farmer says  “It’s more important than ever that businesses look at how they can manage stress levels and improve the working environment for all their employees.”

We are working increasingly with organisations to help them manage stress related illnesses. If your organisation needs specific help or advice, or wants to set up a stress management programme please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

Uncategorized

Well done to The Long Mynd Walkers!

Well done to the our team – Helen Mackenzie, Sally Holt, Chrissie Wood and Helen Jemmett for completing The Long Mynd Walk for The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine Fund on Saturday 8th May.

The walk was a gruelling 11 miles and started with a steep ascent, before reaching a plateau amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in Shropshire. Here are some photos of the team enjoying their challenge!

Charity, Company News

Basic first aid training

We are seeing more and more companies committing to raising the first aid skills of their whole team and not just the first aiders.  This was demonstrated last month when Maria put on a bespoke First Aid Training Day for Arcelor Mittal Tailored Blanks Birmingham Ltd.  The day, organised by Plant Manager Stuart Davis, was part of Arcelor Mittal’s global commitment to health and safety.  “Every plant around the globe shuts down for the day once a year to focus on key health and safety issues.  This year the theme was “Shared Vigilance”.

MOHS Workplace Health was pleased to support the day with a basic first Aid training course for everyone on the shop floor and the managers. Stuart said “We received positive feedback from all of our employees on the trainers and the fun in carrying out the practical exercises. The local newspaper also took pictures on the day! We take first aid at work extremely seriously and are committed to ensuring that all of our staff have a grasp of the basic principles to support our first aiders.”

First Aid

Travel health – a duty of care beyond UK boundaries – new travel health fact sheet to download

The number of people travelling on business is increasing year on year. In the last year alone, more than 3.5 million international trips were made by employees, a quarter of which were to high risk destinations. Employers have a duty of care that extends beyond UK boundaries to workers around the globe…

‘Duty of care’ means that employers have a legal and moral obligation to act prudently towards employees to avoid illness and injuries that could have reasonably been foreseen. With growing numbers of companies seeking market opportunities overseas, the number of employees that are being exposed to potential risks abroad is increasing. So, too, is the nature of the risks, which can range from infectious diseases and natural disasters through to crime and political instability.

MOHS, Travel Health

Long Mynd Walk

A team from MOHS Workplace Health comprising of Helen Mackenzie, Sally Holt, Chrissie Wood and Helen Jemmett are doing The Long Mynd Walk for The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine Fund on Saturday 8th May.  The walk is a gruelling 11 miles and starts with a steep ascent, before reaching a plateau amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in Shropshire.

Helen Jemmett said “We have been putting in quite a lot of practice in advance of the walk in an attempt to ward off the blisters and sore muscles.  We are really looking forward to it”

The adventurous walkers have been seen all around the west midlands over the last few weeks, putting in the miles in advance of the day.  Everyone at MOHS is looking forward to seeing the photographs and hearing all about it.

Charity, Company News, MOHS

MOHS races for life

A team from MOHS Workplace Health has entered Race for Life in Sutton Park on 19th June 2010.  Nikki Adams, our training administrator said ” This will be so much fun, and get us all fitter too. We are all having special T-Shirts and raising some money for Cancer Research UK which is really worthwile”.

The group is running and walking the 5K race which promises to be a great team builder!

Company News, MOHS

April is bowel cancer awareness month

Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK and April is the month of the year when awareness of symptoms is raised – MOHS Workplace Health is pleased to support this and is encouraging our advisors and physicians to raise the profile of the disease.

Health

MOHS supports move to make 2010 the safest and healthiest year yet!

MOHS supports the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) in its resolution to make 2010 the safest and healthiest year yet. John Holden, the president of IOSH, said that businesses should make a New Year Resolution to play their part to cut the 180 deaths, over 130,000 injuries and 1.2 million cases of ill-health caused by work last year.

Health and Safety, MOHS