PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTH AT WORK

Promoting physical activity in and around the workplace is simple and inexpensive. The workplace can benefit from active employees who are happy, healthy and lead a more balanced lifestyle.

Increasing activity levels can help to protect against coronary heart disease, strokes, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stress, anxiety, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, low back pain, colorectal and other cancers.

Physical activity helps people to manage stress, back pain, weight and medical conditions, all of which can lead to absenteeism and loss of productivity. Physically active employees take 27% fewer days sick leave, which equates to over 2 days improved attendance per employee  per year. Ref; British Heart Foundation & Loughborough University 2008.

The amount of physical activity used in performing work tasks has more than halved in the last three decades. 70% of the adult working population is inactive, causing a decrease in work productivity of 5 to 6 hours per person per week. A recent study in Australia showed a loss of 1 to 1 ½ hours productivity per worker per afternoon.

A workplace environment that fosters physical activity and good health can contribute to the health and well-being of its employees and presents a positive image to the workforce, business associates and the community.

*Our partners in the healthy lifestyle, Physical Activity and Health team at Sandwell PCT provides advice, information and opportunities to engage in a variety of physical activities, throughout the Borough, to improve health and well-being.

Qualified health assessors will carry out individual health assessments in the workplace which will be repeated at three months and twelve months to identify improvement in health and wellbeing. 

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SMOKING

SMOKING AND HEALTH AT WORK

Smoking augments the hazardous effects of many chemicals, dusts, fumes and gasses in the workplace and increases the rate of development and severity of many work-related illnesses, including lung diseases, cancers and hand & arm vibration syndrome.

Smoking is the single, greatest cause of preventable illness and premature death in the U.K  Ref; Department of Health “Smoking Kills 1998. revised figures 2007)

Smoking, more than any other identifiable factor, contributes to the gap in healthy life expectancy between those most in need and those most advantaged. While overall smoking rates have fallen over the decades, for the least advantaged they have barely fallen at all. In 1996, 12% of men in professional jobs smoked compared with 40% of men in manual or unskilled jobs.

There is evidence that smoking increases the onset and severity of occupational bronchitis in workers exposed to dust in construction, mining and farming and other occupations.

When you stop smoking your body will start to heal from the effects of smoking within 20 minutes. Blood pressure and pulse return to normal. Circulation improves and blood oxygen levels reach normal levels within 8 hours. Your blood is cleared of carbon monoxide in 24 to 48 hours. You will notice improvements in your breathing, and energy levels within a few weeks and in just 5 years you will have half the chance of having a heart attack compared with a smoker.

Our partners at Sandwell  Stop Smoking Service can help employers to support their employees who want to quit by providing services in the workplace.

There are many opportunities for smokers to receive the support and treatment they need to stop smoking by attending one of the stop smoking sessions held at various venues and times throughout the Borough.

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SMOKEFREE SANDWELL

SMOKEFREE SANDWELL

Incorporating tobacco control, environmental health, customs and excise.
Smokefree Sandwell work in collaboration to reduce smoking and tobacco related harm by;

• Reducing the availability of tobacco products
• Reducing advertising, marketing and promotion of tobacco products
• Reducing exposure to secondhand smoke
• Supporting smokers to quit
• Regulating tobacco products
• Running effective communication and educational campaigns
• Combating the availability of smuggled and illicit tobacco products
• Effective enforcement of smokefree and age of sale legislation.

Your business could be adversely affected by the some of the issues around smuggling, sales and transportation of illicit tobacco products and the increased harmful effects of these products on the health of your employees.

Smokefree Sandwell

CYCLING

CYCLING

Cycle with confidence is the PCT’s cycle programme which promotes and provides opportunities for cycling throughout the Borough. Cycling provides exercise, outdoor activity, family fun, affordable transport, environmental protection and improvement in health and well-being.

A dedicated workplace cycle coordinator is available to provide this service to people of all abilities at the workplace or at many other venues across the Borough. From absolute beginners to the “slightly rusty” to those who want to improve road confidence; there are off and on road sessions to suit everyone.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a bike, as bikes can be provided. If your old bike has not been used for a while “Bike Doctor” will check it out for you.

We also have a coordinator who is working to help those who are not working to engage in cycling to regain confidence, improve health and wellbeing and have an affordable means of transport to access work opportunities.

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HEALTH AND OLDER WORKERS

HEALTH AND OLDER WORKERS

The number of older people living in the United Kingdom is steadily rising, whilst the birth rate has fallen and continues to fall. This means that approximately 1/3 of the population will be over the age of 50 by 2015. The health of the population is also improving and people are living longer and healthier.

In Sandwell, life expectancy has risen to and average of  79.4years for women and 74.4 years for men. Recent changes to State Pensions means that people will be able to stay in work beyond the current expected age of retirement. The Government also wants to at least 1million  people over the age of 50 to join the labour market. People will work longer for a variety of reasons including, financial need, social integration, maintaining  self  worth and physical and mental activity.

Agewell, part of Sandwell PCT exists to enable people aged 50 and over in Sandwell to have a positive voice so that they can influence policy and services on issues that affect them. Through their work they help older people to exercise choice and live with dignity and self respect.

Agewell is successfully helping people in midlife to make positive changes and choices for their future years including, health, work, finances, leisure and relationships.

Agewell projects include;

• The Older People’s Champion Project.
• The Active Sandwell Project 
• The Midlife Future Planning Course

http://www.agewellinsandwell.org.uk/