Government websites
– www.dh.gov.uk The Department of Health has information on all government health policies and guidelines
– www.dwp.gov.uk The Department for Work and Pensions website offers information on a number of work-related health topics and on the Pathways to Work project
– www.signupweb.net The Healthy Workplace Initiative is jointly sponsored by the Department of Health and the Health and Safety Executive, and encapsulates a new approach to the issue of health at work
– www.publichealth.nice.org.uk This is the website for the public health section of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and offers more guidance on public health issues
– www.hse.gov.uk The website for the Health and Safety Executive, which offers guidance to employers on all aspects of health, safety and occupational health
– www.hsebooks.co.uk The bookshop for all Health and Safety Executive documents, codes of practice and guides. Many free leaflets are available for download
– www.ohstrategy.net A long-term occupational health strategy for the UK. The strategy is designed to stop people at work becoming ill, and if they do, to get them back to work as soon as possible. The potential benefits are huge – for the UK, for employers, for people at work, and those who would like to return to work
– www.hpa.org.uk The Health Protection Agency is an independent body that protects the health and wellbeing of everyone in England and Wales. It plays a critical role in protecting people from infectious diseases and in preventing harm when hazards involving chemicals, poisons or radiation occur. It also prepares for new and emerging threats, such as a bio-terrorist attack or virulent new strain of disease
Other useful websites
– www.healthscout.com Winner of eHealthcareworld’s Silver Award for Best Health Portal, this is one of the most visited and respected consumer health sites. It is a leading provider of personalised health management tools, including health alerts, newsletters, latest recalls, mini check-ups, and family health pages
– www.healthforlifeonline.net Health for Life is an award-winning course that has been developed for anyone who wants to set achievable goals and lead a healthier lifestyle
– www.drfoster.co.uk Dr Foster is an independent organisation that collects and analyses information on the availability and quality of health services in the UK. Use this website to make the most informed decisions on how to access the right healthcare
– www.acas.org.uk Acas offers free e-learning packages for employers and staff on topics such as absence in the workplace
– www.alcoholconcern.org.uk This website has information on alcohol problems. There are free factsheets to be downloaded, including one on Workplace and Alcohol, which offers guidance and information
– www.nelh.nhs.uk The website for the National Electronic Library for Health Programme and gives access to the Public Health Electronic Library
– www.bhf.org.uk Website for the British Heart Foundation
– www.diabetes.org.uk Website for Diabetes UK
– www.bohs.org.uk British Occupational Hygiene Society for advice on occupational hygiene matters
– www.firstaidcafe.co.uk Offers advice, training and equipment for first aid at work
– www.iosh.co.uk Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, which offers the industry standard for health and safety training
– www.ergonomics.org.uk The Ergonomics Society offers a downloadable list of practitioners if you need an ergonomist
– www.csp.org.uk The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, which offers help and information on work-related musculoskeletal disorders
International bodies
– www.euro.who.int/occhealth The World Health Organisation website for Europe, with guidance and publication on occupational health and safety
– www.europe.osha.eu.int The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work aims to make Europe’s workplaces safer, healthier and more productive. The agency acts as a catalyst for developing, collecting, analysing and disseminating information that improves the state of occupational safety and health in Europe
Other relevant bodies
– www.whig.org.uk The Work and Information Gateway, with valuable resources and free leaflets in many languages
– www.backcare.org Promotes and supports healthy backs
– www.drc-gb.org The Disability Rights Commission, which offers information on the Disability Discrimination Act
– www.enviroderm.co.uk A company website that offers expert advice on occupational skin problems
– www.resus.org.uk For information on aspects of emergency first aid and the latest recommendations
– www.employeeassistanceprogramme.com Offers a free service providing employee assistance programme quotes to any interested company
– www.scmh.org.uk The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health is a charity that works to improve the quality of life for people with severe mental health problems
– www.theworkfoundation.com The Work Foundation is an evidence-based research and management consultancy. It exists to inspire and deliver improvements to performance through improving the quality of working life
Books
– Val Hughes et al (2004) Tolley’s Guide to Employee Rehabilitation, Lexis Nexis
– Tolley’s Health and Safety at Work Handbook 2005, Lexis Nexis
– Nash T et al (2002) Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace; managing health, safety and wellbeing at work to boost business performance, Institute of Directors
– Acas Absence and Turnover Advisory Booklet, www.acas.org.uk/publications/B04.html
Research
– Inside the Workplace – First Findings from the 2004 Workplace Employment Relations Survey, www.dti.gov.uk/er/insideWPfinalwebJune.pdf
– Spend Now, Save Later, Business in the Community survey of 454 chief executives, finance directors and HR directors, to find out how employee health and wellbeing at work is regarded by business www.bitc.org.uk/health
– Preventing Chronic Diseases: A Vital Investment, World Health Organisation www.who.int/chp/chronic_disease_report/en/index.html
– Vielife-IHPM Health and Performance Research Study www.personneltoday.com/32192.article
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– Ill-health – Work Environment, Alcohol Consumption and Ill-health, The Whitehall II study, Health and Safety Executive, www.hse.gov.uk/research/crr_htm/2002/crr02422.htm
– CBI/AXA Absence and Labour Turnover Survey 2005, 75. Available from www.tso.co.uk/cbi/bookstore.asp?FO=1153079&Action=Book&From=SearchResults&ProductID=0852016107
