Posted By Jez Corfield Does anyone have information about health promotion within the workplace. I am particularly keen to hear from colleagues whose organisations show 'good practice' in this field, or who might have links to organisations who might coordinate health promotion issues in the workplace. I am looking beyond work related health, and at promoting the general health of employees. Thanks in advance. Jez Corfield

Posted By Sean Fraser Jez, Scotland has established an award scheme for organisations called Scotlands Health At Work (SHAW, link below: http://www.shaw.uk.com/ There are recommendations and requirements for attaining each level (bronze, silver and gold). Unfortunately there is little on the website itself, but if you have any Scottish collegues they might be able to get further info for you (and it might introduce it to them as well!). Take up has reportedly been quite good although we don't participate ourselves at this time. Having enquired into it I was told that achieving bronze was relatively simple and not costly, so it at least starts you off as a "quick win". Don't know if there is a similar initiative in England and Wales or NI, but we definitely need something up here in the frozen north to tackle our atrocious record of heart failure and strokes. Additional links for health-related issues are: Health Promotions (a Grampian based group) - http://www.health-promotions.com/ NHS Scotland (previously the Health Education Board of Scotland - HEBS) - http://www.hebs.scot.nhs.uk/ Securing Health Together - a UK strategy for a healthier workplace - http://www.ohstrategy.net/ I believe that simply introducting the issue of health in the workplace will inevitably expand externally, as an increase in educational promotion will be taken outside when people shop, eat and exercise. But make sure that leadership by example is always the first consideration! No point in promoting a healthy lifestyle and having contradictory factors all around - snack machines, junk food canteen food, etc. etc. And make sure it always links in with other key principles such as environmental awareness and social responsibility.

Posted By Derek Rooney MIOSH MIIRSM I think the previous guys have got it all covered. We have depots based all over the uk, we run the SHAW programme in Scotland & have run the similar initiatives in England & North Wales. They are all very good initiative with excellent support and free materials.

Posted By Jez Corfield Thanks everyone, its interesting that the Scottish and Welsh have made much more of a positive push with regard to health promotion in the workplace than appears to be the case in England. The Scottish resources are particularly good and include a number of free tools... Thanks again Jez