NFDC joins the national Working Minds mental health campaign

The HSE’s Working Minds resource is free to use. (PHOTO: HSE)

Set up by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - the UK’s national safety regulator, the Working Minds campaign comprises an online learning resource that aims to helps employers prevent stress and support good mental health among workers.”

Duncan Rudall, CEO of the NFDC, said: “Mental Health is of paramount importance and is as impactful on an individual’s life as safety is on site.

“We applaud the HSE for recognising the need to bring mental health standards in line with physical safety and are proud to be partnering with them on the Working Minds campaign to ensure we raise the bar for everyone.”

The free resources in the Working Minds campaign shows how contractors, company leaders and other industry professionals can make good mental health practices part of their routine working life and company culture.

It comprises bite-sized tools that typically take less than an hour to complete, and that cover what the law requires of employers and what’s needed to do to be compliant.

According to Liz Goodwill, Head of Work-related Stress and Mental Health Policy at HSE: “The law requires all employers - whether you’re a demolition firm or scaffolding business - to carry out a stress risk assessment and act upon the findings.

“The online learning shares all the tools you need to get started in one place, and you can come back as many times as you like.”

Based on risk assessment, the online learning resource walks users through five simple steps that detail how to recognise and help those dealing with poor mental health.

“They are to Reach out and have conversations, Recognise the signs and causes of stress, Respond to any risks you’ve identified, Reflect on actions you’ve agreed and taken, and make it Routine, said the HSE, adding that “it needs to become the norm to talk about stress and how people are feeling and coping on site”.

The NFDC is the latest of a number of associations to become a member of the campaign.

In the past month alone, the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA), the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), the Contract Flooring Association (CFA) and the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) have all joined the Working Minds campaign.

Demolition and construction sector companies and contractors can register for the free learning at: HSE Workplace Stress (focusgames.com)