Skip to main content
IOSH Magazine: Safety, Health and Wellbeing in the world of work - return to the homepage IOSH Magaazine logo
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit @ioshmagazine on Twitter
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on LinkedIn
Non-verbal communication
How to build trust
March/April 2023 issue

Main navigation

  • Home
    • Browse previous issues
    • Member accolades
    • Member tributes
  • Health
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Sickness absence
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Rehabilitation
      • Personal injury
      • Return to work
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Achieving Fellowship
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Professional skills
      • Qualifications
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Jobs
  • Covid-19
  • Knowledge Bank
    • Back to basics
    • Book club
    • Infographics
    • Podcast
    • Reports
    • Webinars
    • Videos
  • Products & Services
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Sickness absence
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Leadership
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Qualifications
      • Professional skills
      • Achieving Fellowship
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Transport and logistics
  • Third sector
  • Retail
  • Mining and quarrying
  • Rail
  • Rehabilitation
    • Personal injury
    • Return to work
  • Utilities
  • Manufacturing and engineering
  • Construction
  • Sector: IOSH Branch
    • Sector: Northern Ireland
    • Sector: Midland
    • Sector: Merseyside
    • Sector: Manchester and North West Districts
    • Sector: Ireland East
    • Sector: Ireland
    • Sector: Edinburgh
    • Sector: Desmond-South Munster
    • Sector: Qatar
    • Sector: Oman
    • Singapore
    • Sector: South Coast
    • Sector: South Wales
    • Sector: Thames Valley
    • Sector: Tyne and Wear
    • Sector: UAE
    • Sector: West of Scotland
    • Sector: Yorkshire
  • Healthcare
  • Sector: Fire
  • Sector: Financial/general services
  • Sector: Energy
  • Education
  • Sector: Communications and media
  • Chemicals
  • Sector: Central government
  • Catering and leisure
  • Agriculture and forestry
  • Sector: Local government
  • Sector: IOSH Group
    • Sector: Financial Services
    • Sector: Sports Grounds and Events
    • Rural industries
    • Sector: railway
    • Public Services
    • Sector: Offshore
    • Sector: Hazardous Industries
    • Sector: Food and Drink
    • Sector: Fire Risk Management
    • Education
    • Construction
    • Sector: Aviation and Aerospace
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Categories
  • Topics
  • Management
  • Human factors
  • Sickness absence
Older workers
Manufacturing and engineering
News

Fit for Work service still has little impact, EEF finds

Open-access content Monday 14th August 2017
From the archive:  Just so you know, this article is more than 3 years old.

Fit for Work service still has little impact, EEF finds

The annual survey by the manufacturers' organisation of member companies found that most employers are choosing not to refer employees who have been off work for four weeks or more for a voluntary occupational health assessment.

The EEF's latest data also shows there has been little change in sickness absence rates among member organisations for the past eight years.

Employee Health -- Making Industrial Strategy Work for Britain published today found that while 77% of the survey's 264 respondents are aware of the free Fit for Work assessment, only 5% (14 employers) have used it. This is almost the same proportion as the previous survey conducted in January 2016 when the EEF first assessed the impact of Fit for Work on its members five months after the service was rolled out at the end of July 2015.

The latest survey found that 46% of those who are aware of the service and would consider using it have yet to refer any employees. This compares with 54% in the 2015 survey.

The manufacturers' organisation also found that a quarter of respondents (24%) would not use the Fit for Work service at all, an increase from 18% the previous year. An equal number said they would use it. Larger companies were less likely to use the service, reflecting the fact that 51% already had satisfactory access to some form of occupational health service offer.

Small-to-medium-sized enterprises (companies with 250 or fewer employees) were identified as the group that would have least access to occupational health services and would benefit most from using the service.

The survey found that on average 3.9% of employees in SMEs are off for a period of four weeks or more. Almost half (48%) who were aware of the service said they would consider using it but EEF questioned why they didn't.

The manufacturers' organisation suggested that a lack of engagement by the government with both employers and GPs about the service and a lack of financial incentives to encourage SMEs and larger companies to pay for interventions (including medical treatments) recommended by the service when they could rely on the NHS could be key factors.

More than a third (36%) of employers rely entirely on the NHS to provide medical treatment for their employees, the survey reported.

"Companies are clearly not persuaded of the benefits of using [the service], either because they already have some form of occupational health provision or, they are content to rely on the NHS," said Terry Woolmer, head of health & safety policy at EEF.

"[The government] needs to review its work and health priorities as part of the development of the wider industrial strategy. This would help improve the productive potential of the economy and reduce the burden on an overstretched NHS."

The EEF found that only three of the 14 companies that had made employee referrals to the service agreed that the assessment had helped the employee make an earlier return to work. Of the few return to work (RTW) plans issued, only a handful specified medical treatment.

In March, Dr Lucy Goundry, Fit for Work's medical director, admitted there were no measures of how many people the service had helped back to work early except anecdotal evidence from employers and testimonials from those referred for assessments.

The EEF argues that the Fit for Work service could provide a framework for helping more people with disabilities and long-term health conditions into the workplace.

The 2016 sickness absence rate in the EEF's 14th national survey of health, work and wellbeing is 2.3%, unchanged from the previous year. This represents an average of 5.2 days lost to sickness absence per employee and is down slightly on the 2015 survey.

Over a third (36%) of respondents said that there are no barriers in recruiting/retaining individuals with disabilities or long-term health conditions. Just over a quarter (28%) of members said that government financial incentives would help them recruit or retain people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. The most popular incentive, noted by almost half of companies was employer/government matched funding.

The survey also shows that companies are upping their efforts to improve the work and wellbeing of employees aged over 50. Just under half (46%) said that they offered flexible work patterns while almost a third (32%) said that they make workplace adaptations or modifications.

You may also be interested in...

 Working through: arthritis

Friday 21st July 2017
Arthritis is an umbrella term that covers about 200 musculoskeletal conditions affecting ten million people in the UK. These disorders, including arthritis, are the second biggest cause of ill-health absence, resulting in 30.8 million working days lost last year, or one-fifth of all sick leave – minor ailments such as coughs and colds accounted for 34 million days’ absence.
Open-access content
HSE

 Toxic cloud exposes Tata Steel to £1m penalty

Monday 14th August 2017
A large quantity of benzole was released at an open site glass in the steel works on 17 June 2011. A flammable cloud developed and, had it ignited, the release could have led to serious injury or the death of the five workers. Two of the exposed workers experienced breathing difficulties. Both were sent to hospital but were discharged the next day. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Tata Steel had ignored the risks of uncontrolled releases even though they had been identified previously.
Open-access content

 Flash burns trigger £140,000 fine for alarm co

Thursday 10th August 2017
Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard this week that a worker at Pyronix’s Rotherham plant was dipping baskets, which contained printed circuit boards (PCBs), into fluorocoat thin film coating to provide humidity protection when the incident occurred in April 2015.
Open-access content

 Apparel brands renew commitment to safety in Bangladeshi factories

Tuesday 8th August 2017
More than 200 clothing companies, retailers and importers from over 20 countries in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia have so far have signed the agreement. They include Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, C&A, Debenhams, Hugo Boss, John Lewis, LC Waikiki, and Marks and Spencer. The accord has also been signed by the trade union federations IndustriALL Global Union and UNI Global Union, as well as eight Bangladesh trade unions and four non-governmental organisations.
Open-access content
HSE

 *UPDATE* Tata Steel ignored three ‘intolerable risk’ warnings

Monday 21st August 2017
Tata Steel UK failed repeatedly to act on the recommendations of a process hazard review (PHR), which identified the loss of cooling water to the plant’s benzole separation process as an “intolerable risk”. On 17 June 2011, a large quantity of benzole vapour – a known carcinogen and highly flammable – was released through an open sight glass (inspection porthole). The vapour cloud, a mixture of benzene and toluene, spread across the site leaving two workers with breathing difficulties and risking the death of five if the cloud had ignited.
Open-access content
Image credit: ©iStock/eriksvoboda

 Worker burned in paper coater fire

Tuesday 22nd August 2017
Olympic Varnish Company, whose activities include metallic coating for giftwrap, had failed to identify the risks of using highly flammable liquids, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said following its investigation into the 10 July 2015 accident.  The company, based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, has been fined £16,000 plus £4,505 costs after it admitted breaching reg 6(1) of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, which covers the elimination or reduction of risks from dangerous substances.
Open-access content

Latest from News

web-morrison-shutterstock_1205515750.png

  Morrisons’ £3.5m fine is ‘a warning to all employers’, says council

Friday 24th March 2023
Morrisons supermarket has been fined £3.5 million for failing to ensure the health and safety of an epileptic employee who died after falling from a shop stairway.
Open-access content
jfc

 IOSH launches new five-year strategy

Tuesday 21st March 2023
IOSH launches its new five-year strategy this spring. It will build and act on the reshaped purpose and ambition gained during WORK 2022, which ran from 2017 to 2022.
Open-access content
web_Cranes-on-construction-site_credit_iStock-1352083784.jpg

 Risk & Compliance software provider collaborates with HSE and Costain to improve risk management on worksites

Friday 17th March 2023
A Belfast-based Risk & Compliance software provider has been collaborating with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and construction giant Costain as part of an ongoing project to unlock artificial intelligence’s (AI) potential in improving the management of risks on worksites.
Open-access content

Latest from Manufacturing and engineering

EcoOnline webinar

 Expert analysis of HSE stats in manufacturing

In this webinar, we will take a closer look at what the new stats mean compared to previous years with a focus on the topics of chemical management, permit to work and EHS in the manufacturing industry. Book your free place now and earn CPD points, too.
Open-access content
web_Nestle-USA-headquarters_credit_Ken-Wolter_shutterstock_331412864.png

 Exclusive interview: why Nestlé was fined £800,000 for repeat incidents

Wednesday 23rd November 2022
IOSH magazine spoke to HSE inspector Bill Gilroy about a serious accident at a Nestlé factory in Newcastle – an almost carbon copy of a previous incident at another of the confectionary firm’s factories.
Open-access content
web_New-cars-at-factory_credit_iStock-1320492982.jpg

 G4S: Vehicle for change

Friday 27th May 2022
The switch to electric vehicles is changing the risk landscape for car manufacturers. We found out how G4S is protecting assembly line workers and its first responders
Open-access content

Latest from Sickness absence

web_Doctor-whowing-patient-information-on-tablet_credit_iStock-1081947082.png

 Rise in Covid infections potentially linked to number of fit notes issued, law firm warns

Wednesday 27th July 2022
The number of fit notes that GPs issued last year was the highest on record and may have been driven by a rise in Covid infections, a specialist employment law firm has suggested.
Open-access content
web_Stress-wearing-PPE_credit_iStock-1299309033.png

 Nurse wins unfair dismissal case after Trust failed to follow OH advice

Friday 17th June 2022
A judge has warned that employers must have good reasons for departing from the recommendations of an occupational health report.
Open-access content
jd

 Calls for reformed system to replace Statutory Sick Pay

Thursday 9th June 2022
A new report commissioned by employee benefits provider Unum UK argues that the UK’s current Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) system is no longer fit for purpose and proposes replacing it with Statutory Sickness Support.
Open-access content

Latest from Older workers

Web-Asda-iStock-954275574.jpg

 Dementia sufferer wins dismissal claim after Asda fails to involve OH soon enough

Tuesday 25th January 2022
A 73-year-old woman with dementia has won her claim for constructive unfair dismissal against supermarket giant Asda, after she was asked more than once if she wanted to retire and subjected to treatment that violated her dignity.
Open-access content
web_remote-learning_credit_iStock-476226644

 How remote work can keep older employees in the labour force for longer

Tuesday 28th September 2021
IOSH magazine spoke to Naomi Humber, head of mental wellbeing at Bupa UK, to ask her about the different ways OSH practitioners can support the wellbeing of older workers.
Open-access content
Wood recycler fined £910 over delivery driver's fatal vehicle strike.jpg

 Wood recycler fined £910k over delivery driver’s fatal vehicle strike

Friday 30th July 2021
A wood recycling plant operator has been fined £910,000 after a self-employed lorry driver was struck by a wheeled shovel loader and died.
Open-access content
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Latest Jobs

Senior Health and Safety Manager

Reading
Up to £65000.00 per annum + Great Car Allowance & Benefits
Reference
5452983

Regional Health and Safety Advisor

Northampton
Up to £53000 per annum + Travel & Excellent Benefits
Reference
5452982

Global Health, Safety and Environment Director

Up to £150000 per annum + Excellent Benefits
Reference
5452980
See all jobs »

Sign up for regular e-alerts

Receive the latest news and features, free to your inbox

Sign up

Subscribe to IOSH magazine

Receive the print edition straight to your door

Subscribe
IOSH Covers
​
FOLLOW US
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel +44 (0)20 7880 6200
​

IOSH

About IOSH
Become a member
IOSH Events
MyIOSH

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to IOSH magazine
Write for IOSH magazine

IOSH Magazine

Health
Safety
Management
Skills
IOSH Jobs

© 2023 IOSH • IOSH is not responsible for the content of external sites

ioshmagazine.com and IOSH Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ