We have in place a comprehensive occupational health programme which supports the needs of our people and businesses. We are concerned about the effects of work on health and the effects of health on work.

In the UK we have set ourselves health targets in line with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Electricity Association initiatives. For employees, we are aiming for:

• 20% reduction in incidence of work-related ill health
• 30% reduction in lost time due to work-related ill health
• Rehabilitation back to work.

The timescale for achieving these targets is 2010 with an expectation of achieving 50% of each target by 2004.

We have set up meetings to address key issues, including the need for high level data collection and analysis and the problem of differentiating between work and non-work-related ill health.

Already we are addressing the process for collecting detailed ill health data within our human resources management system. We have developed a coding system with an extensive glossary of common ailments described in lay terms. This should enable individuals or HR to code most illnesses with support from the UK occupational health team.

Meetings have also been held at LG&E so that similar data can be collected in the US business.

Analysis of ill health data will enable us to set targets, measure performance and benchmark against best practice.

LG&E already addresses health issues within the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance requirements. These include, medical surveillance for hearing, asbestos and respiratory safety and drug and alcohol testing.

In 2001, we addressed additional issues, including:

• Developing appropriate procedures to combat the threat of bioterrorism which became a critical workplace issue
• Providing a comprehensive wellness programme to employees and family members, including, annual health risk appraisals and screenings, flu injections and reimbursement for smoking cessation products and classes
• Initiating a major help and education programme on stress management.

Health and safety in call centres

With thousands of employees operating in call centres, their health and safety is a major issue that is being addressed in both the UK and US business.

In the UK, the HSE has published guidance on this issue, which is broadly in line with our own practice. Of particular concern is work pressure and the need to 'tell' employees to have at least five minutes' break every hour. We are assessing a software package that may help manage this problem. It will run on desktops monitoring key and mouse activity, as well as 'forcing' users to have a break and perform exercises at pre-determined intervals.

In the US, the extensive use of keyboard and mouse skills by our staff, especially in call centres, continues to be monitored and evaluated for potential risk. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) emphasises the need for ergonomic risk management. Management and the occupational health team have conducted ergonomic evaluations and provided advice on work practices in our call centres and customer accounting department. It is planned to roll out the ergonomic programme to other risk areas.

Rehabilitation in the UK

The main thrust of our management of occupational health is proactive, but we also realise the importance of helping any employees who become ill, or are injured, to regain good health and return to work. Employees have fast track access to a comprehensive range of physiotherapy support including short treatment courses, an intensive, three-week back therapy school and motivational courses. Our experience and success in this area is being shared across the business and also with the HSE which is planning a campaign to promote this issue in the UK.