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1 – 10 of 78It has long been the law that in factories, on farms and in offices and shops, first‐aid treatment must be made available to employees. About four Acts of Parliament are involved…
Abstract
It has long been the law that in factories, on farms and in offices and shops, first‐aid treatment must be made available to employees. About four Acts of Parliament are involved and about forty bits of subordinate legislation going back to the turn of the century — and all of them specifying in some detail precisely what the employer had to provide in the way of equipment, facilities and trained first‐aiders in ratio to staff numbers. All that is being changed and importantly so for those employed in workplaces not previously covered by requirements (that is, those in education, in cultural and religious organisations and in medical and other services). Some new Regulations and a Code of Practice (together with guidance notes) will apply from 1st July next. Pursuing a long term objective the Health and Safety Commission is bringing under the health and safety umbrella ALL places of employment (save only domestic service) and at the same time somewhat simplifying the legal requirements which exist. Other requirements are, however, made more commonsense and can be enforced indirectly if that becomes necessary.
Paige M. Hulls, Frank de Vocht, Richard M. Martin and Rebecca M. Langford
Around 400,000 working days per year are lost in the construction industry due to stress, depression or anxiety, but a large proportion of the industry – those primarily not based…
Abstract
Purpose
Around 400,000 working days per year are lost in the construction industry due to stress, depression or anxiety, but a large proportion of the industry – those primarily not based “on-site” – is not included in these statistics. Little research has been conducted in this group about their experiences of occupational stress. The authors explored how stress was experienced and managed by construction professionals and its perceived impact on health.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors interviewed 32 construction professionals in a British construction company, with varying levels of seniority and years in the industry. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed thematically.
Findings
Stress was viewed an inevitable and increasing part of the construction industry, exacerbated by recent economic challenges. Participants talked about a culture of stress and overwork but often felt unable to challenge it due to job insecurity. Senior management acknowledged stress was a problem within the industry and something that potentially threatened company productivity. Company-wide initiatives had been implemented to address stress levels (e.g. Mental Health First Aiders), but were criticised for ignoring underlying issues. Informal means of managing stress were identified, such as careful consideration of team dynamics, which allowed employees to form close bonds and using “banter” and camaraderie to relieve stress. However, the persistence of a macho male image meant some participants were reluctant to talk about their feelings at work. Participants described individual coping strategies, such as exercise, but these were hard to prioritise in challenging times.
Originality/value
There is growing recognition that health and well-being must be given greater priority in the construction industry. Industry pressures and competitive practices undermine efforts to improve staff well-being. Action must be taken at senior levels to address this conflict, while building on existing informal mechanisms of support and stress relief.
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Melanie Jay Narayanasamy, Louise Thomson, Carol Coole, Fiona Nouri and Avril Drummond
There has been little research into the use and efficacy of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) across UK workplaces. This paper aims to investigate the implementation of MHFA across…
Abstract
Purpose
There has been little research into the use and efficacy of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) across UK workplaces. This paper aims to investigate the implementation of MHFA across six UK organisations, identifying key barriers and facilitators.
Design/methodology/approach
Twenty-seven workplace representatives were recruited from six organisations through purposive sampling and took part in semi-structured interviews exploring their experiences of workplace MHFA. The data underwent thematic analysis, identifying key themes around implementation.
Findings
Implementation varied across organisations, including different reasons for initial interest in the programme, and variable ways that MHFA-trained employees operated post-training. Key barriers to successful implementation included negative attitudes around mental health, the perception that MHFA roles were onerous, and employees’ reluctance to engage in the MHFA programme. Successful implementation was perceived to be based on individual qualities of MHFA instructors and good practice demonstrated by trained individuals in the workplace. The role of the inner organisational setting and employee characteristics were further highlighted as barriers and facilitators to effective implementation.
Research limitations/implications
MHFA is a complex intervention, presenting in different ways when implemented into complex workplace settings. As such, traditional evaluation methods may not be appropriate for gaining insights into its effectiveness. Future evaluations of workplace MHFA must consider the complexity of implementing and operationalising this intervention in the workplace.
Originality/value
This study is the first to highlight the factors affecting successful implementation of MHFA across a range of UK workplaces.
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These are information briefs which will assist training officers, safety officers and managers with equivalent responsibilities to • identify the information needs of managers…
Abstract
These are information briefs which will assist training officers, safety officers and managers with equivalent responsibilities to • identify the information needs of managers, supervisors and employees, • make training more cost effective.
Without doubt office work is becoming more hazardous. Much health and safety literature deals with risks that are always with us — like falling off ladders, tripping over cables…
Abstract
Without doubt office work is becoming more hazardous. Much health and safety literature deals with risks that are always with us — like falling off ladders, tripping over cables, toppling file cabinets and blocked fire exits. But there is increasing worldwide concern now over the health hazards of toxic materials in the office, viral and bacterial infection from air conditioning systems, radiation hazards from VDUs, and the danger of strain injuries from repetitive use of badly designed equipment.
IT SEEMS natural that at the commencement of each New Year people look backward and forward. They assess their achievements during the year that is gone and try to make some sort…
Highlights the improvement in the safety record of Birse Civils (NW) that resulted, at least in part, from a training program that won a regional training award in the most recent…
Abstract
Purpose
Highlights the improvement in the safety record of Birse Civils (NW) that resulted, at least in part, from a training program that won a regional training award in the most recent UK National Training Awards.
Design/methodology/approach
Gives the inside story of what gave rise to the training “need”, how the training was developed, the numbers and grades of employee trained, and the outcomes of the training.
Findings
Demonstrates that the four training programs described – site‐safety management, Construction Skills Certification Scheme, first‐aid training and “appointed person” training for lifting operations – have helped to bring about an almost unprecedented zero accident rate for the company.
Practical implications
Demonstrates how the training helped to improve flexibility, company reputation and employee morale at Birse Civils (NW).
Originality/value
Contains much to interest employers in high‐risk sectors such as construction.
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Man Fung Lo, Wai Chung James Ng, Chi Fai Gary Ng and Mei Lan Peggy Ng
The demand for ambulance services in Hong Kong is increasing and first aid plays an important role in saving lives. The government recognized first aid training courses offered by…
Abstract
Purpose
The demand for ambulance services in Hong Kong is increasing and first aid plays an important role in saving lives. The government recognized first aid training courses offered by four organizations. This study aims to review and discuss the past, present and future of first aid and health training in Hong Kong.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a case study approach to investigate the operations and development of the first aid and health training in one of the largest training providers in Hong Kong. Publicly available secondary data, including annual reports, websites, newspapers and social media, were collected and analysed. Using the thematic analysis procedure, researchers familiarised the data collected, generated initial codes, searched for themes, reviewed themes, defined themes and reported the results.
Findings
Through data analysis, researchers identified six themes which help to address the research questions regarding the types of first aid and health training courses, quality issue, awareness of first aid in the community and the future delivery of first aid training.
Practical implications
This study provided two implications on both micro and macro levels. At the micro level, training providers can enhance training quality by adopting technology. At the macro level, training providers can continue to advocate and facilitate the integration of first aid into the formal education curriculum. The last section addressed the limitations of this study and provided future research directions.
Originality/value
This study provided insights about the development of the first aid and health education and training. Health-care training providers and policymakers could benchmark the findings from this study and develop appropriate measures for promoting health education.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine how the concept of vicarious liability has developed in recent years.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how the concept of vicarious liability has developed in recent years.
Design/methodology/approach
This work analyses case law decisions pertaining to vicarious liability.
Findings
The paper examines how court decisions have acted to widen considerably the application of vicarious liability in a business context.
Research limitations/implications
Further research could usefully speculate on the direction the law might take in the future.
Practical implications
The paper reveals how vicarious liability applies in a business context and provides some pertinent learning outcomes for employers from case law development.
Originality/value
The analysis presented in this paper explains how an important legal concept applies in a contemporary business context.
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THE improvement in the British standard of living is generally desired. Politicians have not only subscribed to that ideal but some of them have indicated the rate at which we…
Abstract
THE improvement in the British standard of living is generally desired. Politicians have not only subscribed to that ideal but some of them have indicated the rate at which we should advance. There are, however, certain trends in the country's economic life which must be reversed if we are to make any progress in that direction.