Major construction companies are vowing to implement initiatives like regular health checks, stop-smoking clubs and healthier staff canteens.

Public Health Minister Jane Ellison said: “The construction industry is a vital part of the UK economy and it is important we do all that we can to sustain a healthy workforce.

“Builders often work in difficult and demanding environments and we must support them to ensure their health is not put at risk.

“It’s great that so many firms are making the health of their staff a priority on their sites.”

Almost two million working days were lost due to sickness on construction sites across Britain last year.

The campaign has caused controversy thanks to a bizarrely tabloid launch by the Department of Health urging an end to “the image of the bottom-baring, overweight builder.”

One worker said: “If any job gives you a fat backside it’s sitting at a desk writing press releases.”

The firms are signed-up to 9 Health at Work Network collective pledges – these are the things that companies can do to help their builders stay healthy:

• Healthier staff restaurants – England has one of the highest rates of obesity in the developed world. Being obese and overweight increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Also a diet high in salt can lead to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Tackling obesity and diet related ill-health is crucial for the productivity and prosperity of businesses and the wider economy.
• Smoking cessation/respiratory health – Smoking can increase the risk of heart disease, strokes and cancer – the workplace is an ideal setting for communicating messages and advice about quitting.
• Staff health checks – By encouraging staff to make use of freely available health check tools, employers can help their employees and their families to improve their health and live well for longer.
• Mental Health Adjustments – The guides are intended to help employers think through the kinds of adjustments at work which they can make for people with mental health conditions. They include practical advice and links to other resources which might help them to support job retention and return to work. From October 10th this will be broadened to include promoting wellbeing and resilience and addressing stigma and line manager training.
• Chronic conditions guides – The chronic condition guides recommend a common-sense approach to managing long-term medical conditions that will help to keep people in work and get those on long-term sickness absence back into work.
• Occupational health standards – The occupational health standards represent the minimum that would be expected from an effective occupational health service and can help organisations to improve the current and future health of their workforce.
• Health and wellbeing reports – Annual reporting on employee health and wellbeing will help organisations to identify problem areas early and take remedial action where necessary.
• Young People – The workplace is an ideal setting for communicating messages about health and wellbeing. By introducing young workers to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, they are more likely to maintain these behaviours throughout their working life and beyond, passing this knowledge on to future co-workers, friends and family.
• Domestic Violence – 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men are affected by domestic violence during their adult lives. Every workplace up and down the country is therefore touched by this issue. The pledge brings this sensitive subject out in the open and commits employers to helping their staff feel safe and supported.