HSE Press Release: E015:05 - 28 January 2005
Constructing Better Health (CBH), the construction industry’s occupational health pilot scheme, received a welcome boost this week when the Association of British Insurers (ABI) pledged a contribution of £100,000 for 2005, with the potential for a further £100,000 donation in 2006.
The ABI’s support for the pilot comes at a key stage as the CBH Board of Directors embark on a major initiative to raise a further £450,000 to fund the project.
Commenting on the ABI’s contribution, CBH Chair, George Brumwell CBE said:
“This is fantastic news, this project is probably one of the most important initiatives that the industry has undertaken in recent years. The ABI’s generous offer of support shows the commitment to improving occupational health across our industry.
Trevor Walker, also speaking on behalf of the CBH Board, said:
“The CBH Board of Directors will be approaching the construction industry appealing to their strong sense of corporate social responsibility. Contributing to this project will not only have long-term benefits for the industry as a whole, but will enhance the contributors’ reputations as exemplary contractors, employers or suppliers.”
Nick Starling, Head of General Insurance at ABI, said:
“The insurance industry remains committed to encouraging improvements in occupational health. This contribution reflects the importance of the pilot scheme. We hope that other contributions will soon be forthcoming so that the project can quickly progress."
Funds for the pilot are held and administered by B&CE Charitable Trust (a registered charity), and organisations donating to the project may be eligible for tax relief of up to 30% on their contribution when made through the Trust.
Any organisation that wishes to contribute can make their donation direct
to B&CE or via CBH.
1. CBH is an initiative to pilot a regional occupational health support service that offers free advice and support to construction projects in Leicester. Launched on 22 October 2004, it offers employees and employers in the Leicestershire area best-practice management solutions to reduce exposure to key health risks. CBH offers construction employers free on-site risk assessments as well as a source of free advice and guidance for employers and workers, and a gateway to further specialist support, if required. HSE has facilitated the project.
2. 'Constructing Better Health' is a company limited by guarantee, that has been set up by the industry to manage the pilot project. The Board of 'Constructing Better Health' represents both construction employers and employees, and comprises of:
3. The ABI is the trade association for Britain’s insurance industry. Its more than 400 member companies provide over 97% of the insurance business in the UK. It represents insurance companies to the Government, and to the regulatory and other agencies, and is an influential voice on public policy and financial services issues. ABI member companies hold more than a fifth of all investments traded on the London Stock Exchange, on behalf of millions of pensions and savers.
4. B&CE are the largest supplier of financial services and employee benefits to the UK's construction industry. Almost 8,000 employers use B&CE to provide employee benefits for over 250,000 individuals. They provide the UK's most popular stakeholder pension - with over 250,000 members - and have over £1 billion under management. The B&CE Charitable Trust has three main objectives: education and training in, and research into, occupational health and safety in building and civil engineering industries; education, training and retraining for operatives, past operatives and young people; relief of beneficiaries who are in need by virtue of their poverty, sickness or distress. The trustees meet several times during the year to examine cases.
5. Prior to the ABI’s pledge, £650k had been raised or pledged through the following organisations:
6. Any donation made to Constructing Better Health will be placed into an account with the B&CE Charitable Trust, who is the appointed fund holders for the project. Classed as a charitable donation it will become an allowable expense against net profits.
The amount of tax relief an organisation can claim will depend on its net profits:
For example, if an organisation‘s net profits were in the middle range and it made a £50k donation to the pilot, the tax relief would be £16,375 making the net donation only £33,625.
7. The purpose of the second Construction Summit, 24 February 2005, is to
provide the construction industry with an opportunity to review progress
on the commitments given at the Construction Summit in 2001 and commit to
any further action to achieve its Revitalising targets. The Summit will
concentrate on the following leading issues:
All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office
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