Our strategy
Our strategy has three focus areas, the 3Ws: workplace, worker and wellbeing.
Workplace
There are many health hazards in a construction site workplace. Most can be controlled so they do not cause harm. But in some cases, even with controls in place, they may present some residual risk to health. Therefore, it is important we monitor the health of our employees through health surveillance to allow early identification of ill health and help identify any corrective action required.
Worker
Our focus is on assessing people's fitness to work. This could be a safety critical worker – someone who undertakes activities that could put themselves or others at risk of injury if they suddenly became unwell or incapacitated – or a new employee, who need some adjustments, such as adaptation to their desk. We also look at those returning to work from long-term absence who may need to temporarily adjust their working hours.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing means different things to each of us. But generally, it's about having the energy to do what we want to do, when we want to do it. This means we each need to look after and invest in ourselves every day, with good lifestyle habits, a healthy diet and regular exercise.
SEQOHS accredited
In February 2017, Skanska became the first construction company to meet the national Safe Effective Quality Occupational Health Service (SEQOHS) standards.
SEQOHS is a set of standards and a voluntary accreditation scheme for occupational health services in the UK and beyond. The scheme is managed by the Royal College of Physicians of London on behalf of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine and is recognised as the benchmark for excellence in occupational health industry.
Time to change
We are passionate about raising awareness and understanding around the importance of good mental health across Skanska and the construction industry as a whole.
In 2016, Skanska was one of the first construction companies to commit to removing the stigma and ending discrimination around mental health by signing the 'Time to Change' pledge, in association with the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.
We have a mental wellbeing policy that sets out how we will create a workplace that support people's wellbeing. We have over 200 mental health ambassadors providing an informal network for anyone needing to talk or find support in times of difficulty or stress.