NICE – Using building design to increase physical activity

Many employers recognise that they have an obligation to the health and wellbeing of their workforce. Investing in the health of employees can also bring business benefits such as reduced sickness absence, increased loyalty and better staff retention.

Buildings – walking and cycling links

  • Those involved with campus sites, including hospitals and universities, should ensure different parts of the site are linked by appropriate walking and cycling routes. (Campuses comprise two or more related buildings set together in the grounds of a defined site.)​
  • Ensure new workplaces are linked to walking and cycling networks. Where possible, these links should improve the existing walking and cycling infrastructure by creating new, through routes (and not just links to the new facility).

Buildings – staircase design

  • During building design or refurbishment, ensure staircases are designed and positioned to encourage people to use them.​
  • Ensure staircases are clearly signposted and are attractive to use. For example, they should be well-lit and well-decorated.

Buildings – staircase signs

  • NICE's recommendations aim to help employers and workplace health professionals prevent the diseases associated with a lack of physical activity. The recommendations alone will not reverse the current obesity epidemic or other health trends associated with a sedentary lifestyle. However, efforts made in the workplace, alongside wider strategies to increase physical activity levels, could help improve people's health significantly​
  • Help employees to be physically active during the working day by putting up signs at strategic points and distributing written information to encourage them to use the stairs rather than lifts if they can.

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