SERVICES
By identifying and addressing any potential health risks and providing resources and support, you can ensure you are compliant with the law. You can also improve the health of your employees, reduce absenteeism and boost productivity…
ADAM TAYLOR PROJECT (ATP)
The Adam Taylor Project is a nightshift face-to-face poor mental health prevention initiative, offering free to attend support sessions across the Heathrow Airport construction portfolio of projects. We want to end the stigma surrounding poor mental health and help people through the power of conversation.
The sessions are free of charge, open to all development staff, and require no booking. Attendees can simply turn up and talk as much or as little as they desire with no pressure.
The mental health first aider facilitator led sessions are completely confidential and held in a place that’s free of any judgement.
Bespoke Events
Whether it’s a recreation of an iconic sporting moment or something simpler such as an ice cream van on a building site during the nightshift, we can create and deliver bespoke events at the workplace to demonstrate inclusion of the nightshift workforce. Simply get in touch to discuss your idea or let us do the brainstorming for you.
Presentation
Using our own, very personal lived experience of poor mental health in the construction industry, we work with employers to reduce the stigma of mental health, raise awareness across the workforce and improve understanding of the issues surrounding it within organisations. Our one-hour presentation can be tailored to meet the needs of an entire organisation. Below are some important points to note regarding poor mental health in the construction industry workplace.
- 1 in 3 have experienced mental health problems in construction
- On average 2 constructions workers will die from suicide every day
- 59% had time off due MH but told employer it was a physical problem
- 1 in 5 increased intakes of alcohol / drugs and tobacco as self-medication strategy
- 1 in 7 construction workers will know someone who has taken their own life
- 1 in 3 SME workers report working with high levels of stress
- 26% have experienced suicidal thoughts
- Over 75% of constructions won’t talk about mental health due to stigma
- Estimated annual cost of mental health in construction is £70-£100bn
- The construction industry has one of the highest incidences of work related illness
- Poor mental health contributes to increase in safety incidents and poor attention
- Someone with poor mental health has low motivation, poor sleep, lacks focus and takes longer to complete tasks
Nightshift audits
A comprehensive audit of an organisations processes relating to nightshift working. If our audit of your organisation shows you are compliant with the law you can rest easy and concentrate on other parts of your business. If, however, our audit identifies any gaps and exposure to risk, we can quickly advise of the best way to fill those gaps to ensure you become compliant.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in Great Britain.
It sets out the general duties which:
- employers have towards employees and members of the public
- employees have to themselves and to each other
- certain self-employed have towards themselves and others
Night shift workers are essential to keeping many UK businesses running smoothly, whether it’s during the quiet hours of the night or in bustling 24/7 operations. But employing night shift staff isn’t as simple as adjusting the schedule—you have legal responsibilities to ensure they’re treated fairly, paid properly, and kept safe. Even the term ‘nightshift’ is often interpreted incorrectly by businesses. Do you know what the legal framework deems nightwork or nightshift workers? Our nightshift audit is a simple, but comprehensive step by step audit. Compliance with our nightshift audit will ensure your company is always on the right side of the law and demonstrates that you take your employees health, safety and wellbeing seriously.
Welfare audit
A comprehensive audit of current welfare provisions for night workers which includes a detailed report suggesting improvements / actions and timescales where required.
Health, Safety & Wellbeing safety moments & posters
Production of safety moments and posters relevant to shift and nightshift workers so organisations can keep their workforce informed and up to date. It is recommended that safety moments are delivered regularly – ideally on a monthly basis. Quarterly as a minimum. Safety moments and regular poster campaigns provide evidence that organisations take communication with their workforce seriously.
Nightshift personal risk assessments
Organisations have a statutory duty to manage the risks that employees are potentially exposed to while at work. The personal risk assessment should explore topics like disability, wellbeing, pregnancy, work location, work related travel, travelling to and from work, lone working and young person’s etc. along with the more obvious things like stress and fatigue which commonly affect night workers.
Nightshift activity risk assessments
Providing night worker health assessments is a legal obligation for all employers in the UK who have night workers. Night workers face unique challenges when it comes to maintaining their health and wellbeing. Things to consider when assessing night working include (but are not limited too) lighting, noise, temperature, workload, stress and fatigue.
Nightshift toolbox talks (TBT’s)
Production of relevant TBT’s for nightshift workers so organisations can keep their workforce informed and up to date. It is recommended that TBT’s are delivered regularly – ideally on a monthly basis. TBT’s provide evidence that organisations take communication with their workforce seriously.
Lighting (LUX) level inspection
It sounds obvious, but believe us, you’d be amazed how many organisations fail to properly assess lighting levels in their workplace during non-traditional operational hours. Employers, the self-employed and people in control of non-domestic premises have a duty to ensure that lighting is safe and does not pose a health risk to employees and others who may use their premises. At its simplest, different levels of lighting are required for different types of work – close, accurate work such as soldering a control panel will require higher light levels than walking down a corridor. However, when considering lighting, a number of different factors need to be considered such as colour, contrast, glare, shadows and so on.
Our comprehensive LUX level inspection will record LUX levels throughout your site / building / premises. The subsequent inspection report will detail all findings and highlight any areas of non-compliance. Recommendations and a timescale for implementing the recommendations will be provided in the report.
Mental Health First Aid boxes
Life’s overwhelming moments become more manageable when you have a personalised arsenal of comfort and calm within arm’s reach, ready to help you navigate emotional storms. In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and anxiety seem to lurk around every corner, having a dedicated space for self-care and emotional regulation can be a game-changer. Our mental health first aid box is a curated collection of objects and tools designed to provide comfort, distraction, and support during times of emotional distress. A mobile emotional first aid kit, always at the ready when you or your staff need it most. Find out more about what our standard mental health first aid box contains.
If you’d like to curate your own mental health first aid box simply give us a shout and we’ll be happy to work with you.
DID YOU KNOW?
Around 9 million people currently work the nightshift in the U.K.
Essential Components of a Mental Health Box
When it comes to assembling a mental health box, think of it as creating a recipe for calm. Just as a chef carefully selects ingredients for a dish, you’ll want to choose items that work together to soothe your senses and uplift your mood.
First up, we have stress-relief items. These are the workhorses of a mental health first aid box, ready to spring into action when tension starts to build. Stress balls, for instance, offer a satisfying squeeze that can help release physical tension. Fidget toys, on the other hand, provide a tactile distraction that can help calm a racing mind. Whether you prefer the squishy embrace of a stress ball or the mesmerizing spin of a fidget spinner, these items can be invaluable tools for managing anxiety in the moment.
When the world feels chaotic, sometimes we need a little extra comfort. That’s where soft, cozy items come in. A small, plush blanket can provide a sense of security and warmth, almost like a portable hug. Plush toys aren’t just for kids, either. Many adults find comfort in hugging a soft, stuffed animal during times of stress. These items tap into our innate need for physical comfort and can be especially soothing during moments of anxiety or loneliness.
For those who find solace in words, journaling supplies are a must-have in any mental health first aid box. A small notebook and a set of colourful pens can open up a world of self-expression and reflection. Writing can be a powerful tool for processing emotions, gaining clarity, and tracking your mental health journey over time.
Lastly, don’t forget to include some mindfulness tools. Meditation cards can offer quick prompts for mindfulness exercises, while guided meditation apps on your phone can provide longer, more structured sessions. These tools can help you cultivate a sense of presence and calm, even in the midst of chaos. Remember, mindfulness doesn’t have to mean sitting in silence for hours; even a few minutes of focused breathing can make a significant difference in your mental state.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into some specific ideas for emotional regulation. These items are like your personal pit crew, ready to help you navigate the twists and turns of your emotional journey.
First on the list: positive affirmation cards. These little nuggets of encouragement can be a powerful antidote to negative self-talk. When your inner critic is working overtime, pulling out a card with a positive message can help shift your perspective.
When emotions run high, sometimes the simplest interventions can be the most effective. That’s why including breathing exercise guides in your mental health first aid box can be a game-changer. These could be simple printed instructions for techniques like box breathing. Remember, your breath is always with you, making it one of the most accessible tools for emotional regulation.
For those times when you need a creative outlet, colouring books and art supplies can offer a soothing distraction. The repetitive nature of colouring can be almost meditative, helping to quiet a busy mind. Don’t worry about creating a masterpiece; the act of creation itself is what matters here. Include some coloured pencils or markers and a small sketchpad or adult colouring book in your mental health first aid box for instant artistic therapy.
While mental health is often associated with what’s going on in our minds, it’s important to remember that our physical wellbeing plays a crucial role in our overall emotional state. That’s why including some items for physical wellness in your mental health first aid box can be a game-changer.
Let’s start with something simple yet effective: herbal teas and healthy snacks. A soothing cup of chamomile tea can work wonders for frazzled nerves, while a green tea bag might offer a gentle energy boost when you’re feeling sluggish. As for snacks, consider including items that offer both comfort and nutrition. Dark chocolate, for instance, not only satisfies a sweet tooth but also contains compounds that may help reduce stress hormones. Nuts or dried fruits can provide a quick energy boost without the crash that comes with sugary snacks.
Now that we’ve covered the essentials, it’s time to add those special touches that make your mental health box unique. After all, what soothes one person might not work for another, so tailoring your mental health first aid box is crucial for its effectiveness. What works in one department of your organisation may be irrelevant in another.
Inspirational quotes or personal mantras can be powerful tools for shifting your mindset. These could be famous quotes that resonate.
Lastly, don’t forget to include a list of emergency contacts and mental health resources for hotlines for crisis support. Having these resources readily available can provide a sense of security and ensure people know where to turn if additional support is required.
Remember, your mental health first aid box isn’t a “set it and forget it” thing. It’s a living toolkit that should evolve as required. Make it someone’s responsibility to regularly update and refresh the contents. Maybe that stress ball has lost its squish, or the pages in your journal or colouring book are full. Perhaps you’ve discovered a new coping strategy that you’d like to incorporate.