Construction employers urged to sign up for new health card

Employers are being urged to sign up for a new occupational health service membership scheme.

Its launch coincides with the introduction of the industry's first ever "fitness for task" occupational health card - the CBH card.

The health card, which is separate from the CSCS skills card, gives details of health checks on the holder, which clears them to carry out certain types of work.

The first card to be issued will be formally presented to an employee of Dudley and Sons, one of the main contractors for Sainsburys on its store refurbishment programme.

The card forms part of the new national occupational health scheme developed by the Constructing Better Health organisation.

Under the scheme, contractors are being asked to register for membership of a service that will provide advice and information on all work-related health issues as well as the fitness-for-task cards for operatives.

CBH chief executive Michelle Aldous said: "It became apparent that there is a wealth of information regarding safety. But, where work-related health is concerned, it is perhaps not so easy to find."