How do you get construction workers to check out their health? It is an industry in which large amounts of junk food are consumed, where 43 per cent of workers smoke (compared to a national average of about 30 per cent) and where many a construction worker having built up a thirst during the day likes his few pints at night. Implementing health checks in the workplace is the solution proposed and practised by the Construction Employees' Health Trust, a group of building unions who have got together to do something about the problems of building workers' health.

The ICTU's research and information officer, Mr Oliver Donohoe, says the trust has initiated a survey of building workers' health in partnership with the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society, the results of which should be available shortly. They are visiting building sites to conduct on-site health assessments and a cancer awareness programme. For instance, the trust has just completed a visit to the substantial Xerox Technology Park near Dundalk, where some 1,100 construction workers are employed, the vast majority of whom have availed of the health check-ups.

The assessments take place during working time with the co-operation of employers and all workers and staff on-site, including sub-contractors, are invited to take part.

The assessment tests, which are free, include cholesterol, blood pressure, lung function, height and weight, a lifestyle questionnaire and individual counselling on how to lead a healthy lifestyle. The individual health assessment takes about 20 minutes and a full schedule of appointments is worked out in advance in conjunction with site management.

Nurses from the Irish Cancer Society measure carbon monoxide levels using a "smokerlyzer" machine.

This tests for carbon monoxide levels in the lungs and it has been described as "a moment of truth for smokers".

Workers are presented with a 20-minute illustrated talk specially tailored to construction workers on how to reduce cancer risks and lifestyle issues. The talk is presented twice or three times a day to between 20 and 30 workers at a sitting, with the timing agreed by site management.

"The fact that it's done on-site is what's interesting. You wouldn't get building workers to come in to attend clinics otherwise," says Mr Donohoe.

Mr Dave Bunton, health and safety manager at the Xerox site, says it is the biggest Xerox site in Europe, where work started on January 4th this year and is due for completion next April.

"It's what I call high-risk fast track," he says.

"Obviously, the construction industry is high-risk in any case. But when you push the project in as short a time as possible it becomes high-risk fast track. That means the risks are increasing and you've got to insure that your management system contains and controls those risks."

Mr Bunton says Project Management at the Xerox site invited the trust in to do health assessments. "It's free. What that does from my point of view is it allows people who don't normally have the time or, in some cases, the money, to get a health assessment and advice free of charge.

"The companies allow the guys the time off to go and get this health assessment. And they get health education on smoking, cholesterol level, everything such as that."

Workers at the Xerox site responded well to it, he says. "Out of a total of about 1,100 on site, we've had in excess of 1,000 that's gone through this . . . It's very well received."

Some workers have had a shock. For instance, some were not aware they had high cholesterol, high blood pressure levels, that their lung function was diminished or that they ate too much junk food or drank too much alcohol.

"Both Xerox and Project Management are pleased to support any efforts that will increase the health and wellbeing of all people who are involved in the construction of the new Technology Park in Dundalk," says Mr Bunton. "The health trust is proactive in its approach and focuses on many aspects of lifestyle that could cause damage to people. "Health and safety is not just about preventing injuries. It is also about educating people to demonstrate the small changes to some aspects of their daily life that can have profound effects on their overall health. jmarms@irish-times.ie