Posted By Martin Brown Good Morning all, I am looking for some advice, we currently employ a (Multi Drop) driver who is about 26 stone in weight. The driver in question had tried dieting on his own behalf, but has reverted back to his old eating habits and has put even more weight on.As an employer we are fully aware that we have a duty of care, but what would be the best approach in requesting him to address the weight he is now putting back on ? Yes he is an approachable person and he is very reliable but we don't want him to take offence about our concerns for his health & safety. Martb

Posted By SeanThompson I agree with Jim

Posted By John P Hmmm. This is not as straightforward as it might seem. Is the type of work the driver doing contributing to this increase in weight? Is his overeating a symptom of work-related stress? Has his workload/energy expenditure decreased due to changes in his work? Are these factors contributing to work-related ill health due to obesity? It was only a couple of months ago that I had a conversation with a colleague about how long it would be before we read about the first civil case based on 'my job made me fat.' Watch this space.

Posted By mark limon What are your concerns Martin,his general health or does his weight create a hazard when carrying out his duties?, Mark

Posted By TBC Puzzled by Martins concern? This driver is way overweight and a medical will tell you what if anything may be wrong with him. It is important that this driver gets the help he clearly needs. The problems of carrying that weight around can lead to all sorts of problems both for the driver and for the general public on the roads. He may get tired more quickly and fall asleep at the wheel, he is a danger to himself and the rescue services in an accident. It is hard enough to cut out a 'normal' person never mind someone of this size.

Posted By Andy Peters MAK What the hell is hiterhto undiagnosed? Andy :)

Posted By MAK Andy, a spelling mistake! :)

Posted By Ian Bennett Is there such a thing as being "fattist" (not fattest)? I don't usually read biographies but have recently read Sharon Osborne's. She says there is more stigma with fattism than either drugs or alcohol abuse..... Back to the case I think that he wants help is should be on hand, he could be then assessed by Occ Health. If the concerns are still there after he has seen Occ Health. It would be an idea to get him discounted rates at a local gym. They may do corporate rates so you all could benefit. Give vouchers for healthy eating establishments on his route. Introduction to a dietary support group within the company. I would support any of the inititatives.

Posted By rks Sounds like a wind up to me. When has any body had to inform anybody at their company that they have lost weight and the amount they have lost.

Posted By Edward Shyer As you say he is reliable (an Asset) he is approachable (A very good asset for multi drop) just one question does he carry out all his duties satisfactory?. If yes leave the alone!! Regards Ted

Posted By Alan Nicholls As previously mentioned your driver may have some deep seated problem... He may eat a little more than the average person or perhaps 2. If he is driving LGV's a medical is required before re issue of the licence, any real problems would be found by the Doctor. Unless a few porkies have been told during the last medical.. If you do not drive LGV's but 7.5 tonners I would suggest he may be likely to overload the front axle of a fully laden vehicle. 26 stones over 1 wheel could make vehicle control in an emergency somewhat difficult.. My opinion Unless you consider him to be a risk to others I would leave well alone. The chances are he will outlive most of us.

Posted By Kieran J Duignan Smart thinking, Martin There may be a claim in the future on the grounds of indirect age or disability discriminatio, unless you carefully assess and manage risks to his health and safety. As there is no upper limit to discrimination claims, your company is at risk of a hefty fine unless it documents how you manage the issue you raise. Sad that so many safety professions with the opinion its 'none of your business', fail to update themselves about their responsibilities for discrimination management. Its an essential part of professional competence to read relevant legislation and enact it.

Posted By Kieran J Duignan Merv You're quite right about 'cognitive behaviourism' as a research-based method underlying both behavioural safety and weight-watchers and other methods of adapting personal behaviour. Whether you take it from 'research', 'common sense' or elsewhether, the underlying cycle is straightforward 1. Beliefs/Choices influence 2. Behaviour (control of food/alcohol, regular exercise, safe manual handling, etc.) which has 3. Observable and often measurable consequences which serve as 4. Feedback for either reinforcment or corrective action. To assist with weight loss, it helps to a. communicate the essential biological processes b. explain a range of exercise options e.g. weight, cardio-vascular, martial art, etc. c. relate the person's choice of exercise to norms for gender and age group, so he/she can plan a flexible programme of improvement. d. think in terms recording of a variety of forms of feedback (including data on changes in weight, blood pressure, quality of sleep, overall physical wellbeing change, observations of others, ease of improving the wardrobe). I'm smiling as I respond, as right now I'm nursing torn ligaments in my right knee which occurred while Chi-Running (a blend of Tai Chi and running) on Tuesday. I carry a lot more than 65 kg. and hadn't exercised regularly for decades until last December. But reasonable general fitness is now resulting in much quicker healing than it would have otherwise; it took nearly a month to heal an Achilles tendon in May. And it's fun to get unsolicited compliments from others who notice the gradual weight loss, to enjoy sleeping better than I have for decades as well as to gradually realise my hope of fitting into preferred clothes I haven't been able to wear for years.

Posted By Sovay Shaw Perhaps giving him the following information may encourage him to take care of his own health. There is a condition known as 'Truckers' Belly', not restricted to grossly obese patients, but to anyone who has a 'beer belly'. The belly 'overhang' sits on the femoral junction on the groin and therefore compresses the arteries, leading to swelling of the legs, leg ulcers (and possible deep vein thrombosis similar to the long-haul flight problems). I have this information from a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Tissue Viability, who has also been Vascular Research Specialist. She says that 25% of her patients are, or have been lorry drivers and it is a very common condition. It also affects those who drive cars for long periods, so beware! There is lots of information on the internet. Try typing in venous stasis or venous congestion, which is a tad more diplomatic than Truckers' Belly! Point him in the direction of useful information, encourage him to take care of his own health and try to get him to seek medical advice if he is willing.

Posted By Dan dan as I said before occy health may be the answer, they are the most qualified to advise. You have then discharged your duty in this case

Posted By jackw. God someone actually admitting to reading Sharon Osborne book.. I am sure there will be counselling out there for that. On a serious note..does this affect his ability to do the job safely and (excluding his general health), not at any greater risk than any other employee? remember other employees may be increasing health risks in a number of other ways.. excessive alcohol use (can also effect general ability to drive the next day), smoking, etc. Are you as concerned about these and are in the process of putting things into place to deal with them? Or is it just the "overweight guy". Seems to me so long as he can do the job safely then it is really down to him re his general life style as it is with the boozers, smokers etc.

Posted By Kieran J Duignan Jackw Your view is sufficiently common to be taken at face value. At the same time, if you work on the basis of being 'competent' to advise management on employee safety, I wonder what reasoning you use to justify your approach to risk management in relation to the employer's safety and health responsibilities referred to in the Disability Discrimination Act and the age discrimination regulations. Nobody has yet explained how leaving the issue as the employee's responsbility fulfils the employer's responsibilities as set out in these laws. Para. 7 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations oblige 'competent' safety professionals to offer a lot more than a simple asertion 'Not my job!'

Posted By Catman Hi All Surely the competency of the practitioner would involve each risk assessment related to this employee considering additional risk related to his size? The controls would follow on from this, taking the employee as we find him. If the risk assessment shows that the employee is incapable of his tasks or at significantly increased risk as a result of weight then there is a problem requiring action and discussion with the employee, if there is no problem then carry on as normal. The competency of the practitioner would come into question only in failing to recognise and act on any occupational risk related to the overweight condition, not in advising the guy on his weight in general which in my opinion, unless it affects someones safety on the job, is outside our remit. Cheers TW

Posted By Manny Martin, perhaps your company could organise a healthy living day and invite a few outside organisation (local health care etc) to provide a couple of stands i.e. healthy eating, smoking, alcohol abuse etc. Then you are not singling out one overweight employee but are supporting all those who outwardly appear fit and healthy but may not be conducting a healthy lifestyle. You may even get a couple of sponsors to provide a freebie (free nocotine patches, crate of non alcohol beer, One Months subscription to Weight Watchers) Manny

Posted By Merv Newman Can we sum up this one ? Most of us are in the job because we want people to live longer. Stuff the "it's not your job" Someone needs help (even if it is only in my humble opinion) and I will offer it in the most gentle, helpful, friendly way I can. Sometimes you get the brush off. Happens and it's probably our fault. The approach was wrong. Learn from it. But keep trying to help. Without going conkers. (may I claim "going conkers" as an adjectival first for the OED ?) Merv