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HomeCorporate ResponsibilityHealth, safety and wellbeing

Health, safety and wellbeing

VolkerFitzpatrick, as part of VolkerWessels UK, recognises that it has a legal and moral duty of care for the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and those that may be affected by our activities. 

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As such VolkerFitzpatrick ensures health, safety and wellbeing is at the top of our agenda and we continually strive to prevent work related injuries and the ill-health of our employees and anyone associated with our activities, whilst also improving their wellbeing.

Our approach

VolkerFitzpatrick maintains clearly defined management systems, interfaces and responsibilities that are understood and accepted by all. Maintaining effective oversight and scrutiny processes, carried out with independence and impartiality, we comply with corporative, legislative and other requirements and we always seek further improvements.

Involving everyone

It is imperative that through the management and development of our employees, providing them with the necessary competence and understanding of their roles and responsibilities through training and supervision, we enable them to proactively contribute to the achievement of our objectives and the development of our professional risk and safety management culture.

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PALS - our behavioural change programme

As part of VolkerFitzpatrick's unrelenting commitment to continuously improve the health, safety and well-being of our people, subcontractors and supply chain partners we have implemented a holistic behavioural change programme called PALS (Plan, Attitude, Lead, Share) which is now in its 10th year.

Our PALS campaign is delivered by our 151 in-house and supply chain coaches and focuses on individuals making the right choices. The culture behind the programme is that we Plan before we start work, have the right Attitude, Lead by example and Share to help others get it right. In simple terms we want everyone to look after their ‘P.A.L.S'.

See below to view our Occupational Health Safety Policy and Practice.  To request a copy of any of our policies, please contact us here.

Holistic response

Respect for people is innate within our company. We take into full consideration the needs and circumstances of all our employees, clients, colleagues and those we work with. We provide a safe working environment in which employees can continue their personal development and build a culture in which ethical business practice thrives.

In-house support

We recognise that to continue tackling health risks in construction, both physical and mental, we must first raise awareness amongst our staff, and offer support and guidance towards maintaining an environment free of work-related ill-health.
The VolkerFitzpatrick occupational health team aims to:

  • Educate employees and employers in the risks to health arising from work and other factors
  • Influence the attitudes and behaviour of employees and employers in relation to the promotion of health and wellbeing
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Mind and body

Maintaining the mental health of employees is a key part of our occupational health strategy. In addition to health surveillance we place a particular focus on raising awareness of the importance of maintaining good mental health.

We have almost 150 mental health champions across the business, who are trained by Mental Health England to be able to signpost their colleagues to the appropriate support. We provide our people, and their families, with access to resources and supporting organisations, and internal campaigns raise awareness of mental health issues, while highlighting wider national and global activities, such as World Mental Health day. A programme of campaigns tackles a variety of physical health matters, including talks from guest experts.

Wellbeing clinics

Our ‘Know your Numbers’ campaign actively encourages site and office-based employees to attend our complimentary occupational health wellbeing clinics. They can book to see a health professional and get advice about their diet and receive a medical check regarding their blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and BMI.

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