A major initiative on occupational health in the building services engineering sector has been launched by the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA), the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and Constructing Better Health.

Starting with a new sector-wide survey aimed primarily at employers, the collaboration aims to provide essential baseline data, which will lead to practical occupational health information and support for contractors.

The move follows the recent construction industry 'Occupational Health Summit', which was attended by dozens of chief executives and directors of construction firms and trade bodies, including senior representatives from the building services engineering sector.

Tim Rook, director of technical at BESA, said: "The contracting and construction environment is one of the most demanding sectors to work in, and the health of those working in our sector should be considered vital to success. By using the results of this survey we will be able to target and promote best practice, to help both on-site operatives and managers.

"I would encourage everyone to take part as fully and honestly as they can to make this initiative really valuable to the sector, the wider industry, and their own businesses."

Bob Blackman MBE, chairman of Constructing Better Health, added: "Our collaborative survey will help us to further demystify the cloudy perceptions about occupational health and target those areas where our members and industry colleagues aren’t making the most of the resources at hand. The most important message to share with employees is that occupational health management exists to ensure that your job doesn't affect your health negatively."

The overall survey findings will be shared with key stakeholders across the industry in the second quarter of this year. The occupational health survey can be completed here, and is open until Wednesday 13 April.