Burly binmen are getting rid of their bellies and binning their cigarettes with the help of personal trainers at a workplace “wellness centre”.
Waste management company Veolia opened the health centre on site in Croydon to help staff get healthy and rehabilitate workmen injured on the job.
The pilot scheme is the first of its kind in the country and includes a health clinic to give refuse collectors advice on diet, exercise and quitting smoking.
At the wellness clinic, binmen are given information on diabetes, heart disease and smoking and they can exercise on new gym equipment.
Injured staff also have access to a physiotherapist and rehabilitation programmes at the centre. Specialists from Back in Action UK are on hand to help employees suffering from back pain, they provide physiotherapy for Veolia at sites across the UK. Social charity, Solutions 4 Life provide wellbeing advice and encourage healthy lifestyles at the clinic.
If the centre is a success it will be rolled out at sites across the UK.
One of the first people to use the centre was James Guest, a diesel fitter with, fractured his leg at work in Croydon.
Under the watchful eye of trainer Amy Williamson he completed a six week rehabilitation programme and is now back at work and playing football.
Tom Spaul, Veolia executive director, said: “Due to the physical nature of waste management work, the risk of accident and injury is traditionally much higher than in other industries.
“We’re keen to ensure our employees have every opportunity to stay healthy both at work and in their everyday lives. Our aim for the wellness centre is to provide both preventative advice alongside rehabilitation specialists and facilities to ensure our staff get the free care and assistance they need, when they need it.”
Binmen appeared in the town centre on Monday dressed in pink for breast cancer awareness in Croydon.
Conroy Linton and two of his colleagues donned their frilly pink gear and braved to weather for Wear it Pink. He said: “Wear it Pink is all about raising breast cancer awareness among women and also men and I thought this was a great opportunity to get the campaign across to residents in Croydon.”
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