The Scottish government could save more than £30 million over the next decade if a more proactive approach is taken to tackling work-related ill health among apprentices, according to new figures.

The figures have been released by Constructing Better Health Scotland (CBH Scotland), a newly established occupational health management scheme. CBH Scotland is launching a campaign to improve occupational health management in the Scottish construction industry, organised in conjunction with the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives and the Scottish Building Federation (SBF).

A key element of the campaign is to introduce baseline health checks for all apprentices entering the industry. A recent survey of SBF members found only 27% of those that currently employ apprentices provide them with a baseline health check when they join the company.