25 May 2006 - First Fire and Rescue Service in Scotland to be Awarded the Health at Work Gold Award
May 30, 2006 - Today, Scottish Health Minister Andy Kerr presented the Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service (LBFRS) with Scotland ’s Health at Work Gold Award (SHAW). LBFRS is the first Fire and Rescue Service in Scotland to receive this distinction.
SHAW is a National Programme recognising levels of Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards for employers who demonstrate commitment to improving the health and ultimately the performance of their workforce. The programme brings benefits to employers as well as employees by helping create a healthier, more motivated workforce and reducing sickness absence.
Cllr Ken Harrold, Convenor of the Lothian and Borders Fire Board said: “The SHAW program has had a tremendous impact within the Service and it shows as we are reporting a sickness absence rate well below the national average and our lowest in seven years. This is good news not only as an employer but it translates into good news for the people that need firefighters to be out doing their jobs everyday.”
LBFRS achieved the Bronze Award in February 2004, the Silver Award in December 2004 and the Gold Award in December 2005. E ach level has set core, and additional criteria that must be fulfilled. To achieve the Gold Award, LBFRS service had to fulfil, among other criteria, the development of a three-year strategy and one-year action plan for health.
Cllr Ken Harrold, Convenor of the Lothian and Borders Fire Board said: “We are very committed to ensuring that health and safety continues to be a priority at the Service and the achievement of this Gold Award is something that the employees of LBFRS should be very proud of.”
Health Minister Andy Kerr said: "I am delighted to present Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service with the Scotland 's Health at Work Gold Award. They can be proud of the fact that the Fire and Rescue Service is the first of any the Scottish Emergency services to attain Gold status.
"Everyone can benefit from leading a healthier life – that’s why I’m delighted to see more employers who are committed to the well-being of their staff. A healthy workforce is good for the people, for the country and for business.
"By making the healthy choice the easy choice in our workplaces, we can help tackle the causes of illness and disease which are still too prevalent in modern Scotland ."
Notes to Editors:
- The Confederation of British Industries calculations indicate that British industry is currently losing around £13 billion every year from sickness absence, the equivalent of 30 million working days and death rates in Scotland from heart disease, cancer and strokes are higher than in almost any western industrialised country
- Audit Scotland , acting on behalf of the Accounts Commission for Scotland , gathers and publishes data on sickness levels in the Scottish fire and rescue services (FRS). The most up to date figures available cover the financial year 2004/2005. LBFRS is reporting a sickness absence rate for 2004/05 of 6.3% compared to a Scottish average across all other Fire and Rescue Services of 7.4%
- LBFRS is reporting a sickness absence rate for 2005/06 of 5.5% compared to 6.8% in 1999/2000 These figures refer to wholetime operational staff
- The number of reported injuries at LBFRS overall has decreased by 25% from 2004/05 to 2005/06
- The full criteria for Scotland ’s Health at Work Award can be found at www.shaw.uk.com
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