HSE has called for employers to help support the following 2 campaigns in relation to men’s health.
Asbestos
According to HSE’s mesothelioma statistics(published in 2024), it is men who worked in the building industry when asbestos was used extensively who continue to be the most at risk.
It is the skilled tradesmen who worked hard building the homes and buildings we live and work in, including electricians, joiners, plumbers, as well as workers for businesses involved in providing heating, flooring and tiling, or other construction-type work, who are the very people that make up these statistics.
This is why it is important to raise awareness of what tradespeople should look for and what to do to protect themselves should they come across asbestos during their work.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer. It has a long incubation period, well after the inhalation of asbestos fibres occurred but is usually rapidly fatal following the onset of symptoms. Annual deaths in Britain increased steeply over the last 50 years, with many deaths attributed to past occupational asbestos exposures because of the widespread industrial use of asbestos during 1950-1980, and in fact up to 1999. In Great Britain, there were:
- 2,290 mesothelioma deaths in 2021, of which 1,883 were men;
- 2,257 mesothelioma deaths in 2022, (1,838 were men);
- Approximately 2,400 mesothelioma deaths are expected to have been recorded in 2023, of which it is estimated that 83% will be men; and
- Approximately 2,500 mesothelioma deaths are expected to have been recorded in 2024, of which it is estimated that nearly 2000 will be men.
For more information and assistance, see the Guidance note and associated documents, available on the Kingfisher PS Portal:
- Asbestos – Control and Management;
- Asbestos – Management Checklist; and
- Asbestos – Management Plan.
Mental Health
HSE’s Working Minds campaign is designed to help employers prevent stress and support mental health at work. It is designed to help managers and business leaders normalise talking to men in particular, but women as well, so that it is not felt to be a bad thing to open up and bring into the light their feelings and to highlight what coping mechanisms are available to aid coping with mental health at work.
Half of work-related ill health is down to stress, depression or anxiety.
There are three main reasons employers should look to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health in the workplace;
- It’s the law. Regardless of the size of the business, the law requires all employers to prevent work-related stress and support a positive mental outlook in the workplace. A risk assessment is legally required to be conducted, with stressors within the workplace recognised and managed.
- It’s good for business as a failure to manage stress at work can lead to reduced productivity, sickness absence, and if the worst happens, the loss of a valued member of the team.
- It’s the right thing to do, that moral imperative we all have, which really should not be ignored.
The Working Minds campaign provides a range of tools and support to help businesses and their workers understand the best ways to prevent work-related stress and encourage good mental health.
HSE also provides more guidance on stress and mental health at work.
KPS also provides a guidance note with an associated manager’s checklist for the subject.
To avoid workplace issues and ill health, which cause harm,
ensure the business complies with health and safety laws by:
- Conducting risk assessments as and when required (prior to undertaking activities).
- Providing training regarding the risks involved and how to manage them.
- Supervising risk management, as necessary, until competence is demonstrated.
- Formally reviewing risk assessments and associated safe systems of work regularly.
- Updating training provided (toolbox talks, in-house or external formal training).
- Keeping updated/maintained records of all the above processes.