Safe Work Month – Work Well 365

Safe Work Month – Work Well 365

Know safety, work safely – encouraging everyone to make health and safety a priority in the workplace.

October is National Safe Work Month.  The time of the year to commit to creating and managing safe and healthy workplace for all your employees.

Individuals, their families and the broader community are all impacted by work-related injury and illness. WorkSafe Victoria reported that 66 lives were lost in 2021 due to workplace injuries with an additional 23,000 workers being injured seriously enough to have a claim for compensation accepted.

This is why October is dedicated to being National Safe Work Month.  During the month of October, businesses, employers and workers across Australia are asked to join National Safe Work Month and commit to building safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians.  There is more that we can do to improve workplace health and safety, and together we can make a difference.  Every workplace needs to take the time to properly assess their health and safety risks and plan how to eliminate or manage them.

So, what does having a healthy and safe workplace mean?  It means that your workplace is free from physical and psychological harm.  It is a positive, safe environment that benefits everyone.

Ideas for National Safe Work Month you can implement in your workplace

  • Encourage staff wellbeing – implement wellbeing programs
  • Organise health talks & health eating programs
  • Encourage physical activity
  • Conduct a safety training workshop
  • Implement a stretching & warm-up session prior to starting a shift
  • Host a session with a guest speaker on safety
  • Launching a new health and wellbeing initiative
  • Host a morning tea focused on wellbeing
  • Make mental health a priority in your workplace
  • Reward safety awareness

To find out more, visit www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au

To find out more about Work Safe Victoria’s WorkWell program visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/workwell

Medicine Wise

Medicine Wise

19 – 25 August 2022

Do you have a complete record of all the medication you are taking?  Do you understand what they do and what the active ingredient is?  Do you know what the right information to keep and the right questions to ask?

Be Medicinewise Week is an annual health awareness week led by NPS MedicineWise (National Prescribing Service).  Medicinewise week is all about knowing and understanding your medication and being better informed so you can get the most out of them – safely.

“Every year, more than 230,000 Australians are admitted to hospital due to mismanagement of over-the-counter and prescription medication.”  (Source: NPS Medicinewise 2019.)

So how do you be medicine wise? 

It’s easy to be medicine wise.  Do your homework when it comes to medicines you take.

Painaustralia, supported NPS MedicineWise in asking people to:

  1. Know all the medicines you take and why you take them.  Do your homework.  Not only prescribed medications but all medications including over the counter and supplements.  Research the active ingredient so you understand how it works.
  2. Understand the instructions of how to take a medicine.  Read the labels and packaging on all medicines.  Use dosing devices to ensure accurate measurements
  3. Check with your health professional before starting a new medicine or safely stopping use
  1. Ask if you have any questions.  How and when to take them, are there any side effects, how the react with other medicines you may be taking?
  2. Make a list of all the medicines you take to keep track.  This is extremely important for all those involved in your health care.

(Source: painaustralia 2019.)

Every day, Australians are gambling with their health by either ignoring, not being informed or not taking the necessary precautions regarding their medication.  This can lead to serious problems.  Whether it’s prescribed medication, over-the-counter medication or health supplements, you need to be aware of their potential risks, instructions and side effects.

 How will a medicine list help me? 

  • Have a complete list of all medicines you are currently taking. This is extremely helpful for all of those involved in your health care.
  • Provide vital information about your medicines in an emergency
  • Remind you of when to take them and how much. (Set alarms to remind you)
  • A complete list of what each medicine is for
  • Get better results from the medicines you take

So now that you’ve decided to start a medicine list, you may be asking yourself what’s the best way to do this?  You can do this in a number of ways.

  • Create a paper list that you will keep with you at all times.
    • List all the medications you take
    • What each medicine is for
    • Dosage
    • When and how to take it.
  • Add the details to your smart phone using the MedicineWise smartphone app.

How ever you choose to create your medicine list, just remember to keep it updated and carry it with you at all times. 

(Source: NPS Medicinewise . nps.org.au)

Tradies National Health Month

Tradies National Health Month

August is the month to focus on our tradies and their health! Tradies National Health month highlights the importance of tradies health and aims to raise awareness of the health risks affecting those who work in the trade industry.

This August, take the time to think about and prioritise your tradies health. Remember, health and safety are the joint responsibility of employers and employees.

According to Safe Work Australia data, tradies have amongst the highest serious injury and disease compensation claims in Australia.  “Labourers, technicians, and machinery operators and drivers are among the top four occupations when it comes to number of serious injury claims.”  (Source : Tradies in business.)

Trade Industry Statistics

Tradies reported in a survey that:

  • 79% take good care of their tools. Only, 47% take good care of their bodies.
  • 25% of tradies felt comfortable talking to co-workers about a mental health issue affecting their work, while 53% were open to discussing physical health concerns.
  • 69% believed that it is normal to be sore as a result of the work they do
  • 42% pushed their bodies past their healthy limits
  • 68% follow safe lifting guidelines
  • 60% of tradies often have aches and pains as a result of their job
  • Less than a quarter of tradies will “warm up” before starting their day of physical activity.
  • 2/3rd of tradies agree they would be more inclined to stretch or warm-up before starting work if their employer prioritised it.
  • 3 out of 5 serious workplace injuries involve a tradie-despite making up only 35% of the workforce.

(Source : Tradies Health Survey 2019) 

Health Risks

Due to the nature of the industry, tradies are at a higher risk of certain health issues.

  • Skin cancer due to being exposed to the sun for extended periods of time
  • Hearing Loss due
  • Musculoskeletal disorders
  • Alcohol and drugs
  • Exposure to potentially harmful substances
  • Occupational dust diseases
  • Back issues
  • Psychological pressure
  • Depression and mental health
  • Greater risk of injury from unsafe lifting
  • Physical strain on the body and joints
  • Poor nutrition
  • Insufficient exercise

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂?

At WPH&S Vic we offer a range of services that can help your workplace support your tradies.

  • Individual Health Assessments: Screening for heart health, diabetes, cholesterol, and body composition to determine a problem before it’s too late.
  • Skin Checks
  • Audiometry
  • Spirometry
  • Drug & alcohol testing and education
  • Our dietitians can offer education what foods to eat at certain times of the day to fuel your brain, how to maintain a healthy body weight and basic nutrition for health and wellbeing.
  • Our physiotherapists can assist with correct lifting techniques in the workplace, stretches and strength exercises to minimise the risk of workplace injury.
  • Physiotherapist assessment
  • Our psychologists can assist your team with their mental health.

Get in contact with us to help support your tradies – [email protected] or 0456 387 569.

(Source : Australian Physiotherapy Association.)

DRY JULY 2022

DRY JULY 2022

“One in four Australians aged 18 years and over exceeded the Australian Adult Alcohol Guideline in 2020-21 (25.8%).” – (ABS 21/03/2022)

Dry July is a fundraiser that encourages you to go alcohol-free in July to raise funds for people affected by cancer.  Go one month without alcohol for a good cause.  Every day, it’s estimated that 400 people in Australia will be diagnosed with cancer.  Go Dry this July and raise funds to provide comfort and support to people affected by cancer when they need it the most.  (Source : Dry July – 2022.)

Now is the time to sign up your workplace team and quit the drink for a month to raise funds for a worthy cause!

Where do the raised funds go?
The funds you raise as part of your Dry July will provide invaluable services for cancer patients, their families and carers.  Whether it’s a lift to a life-saving appointment, guidance from a specialist cancer nurse, connection to an informative voice, access to therapy programs, a comfier chair or a bed closer to treatment, these are just some of the ways your fundraising will help cancer patients and their families.  (Source : Dry July, 2022).

How much alcohol is too much?
Healthy men and women should drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day, to reduce the risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury. (Source : NHMRC – 2022)

What are the risks of too much drinking?

Short term risks:  dizziness, lack of judgement, reduced coordination, slower reflexes, memory loss, vomiting, intense moods, headaches, hangovers, blackouts, accidental injury (to yourself or others), deliberately harming yourself or others, alcohol poisoning (which can be fatal) and poor sleep quality.

Long term risks: Irreversible liver, brain or nervous system damage, heart disease, increase in blood pressure, heart damage, heart attacks, stroke, dementia, increased chance of several types of cancers, alcohol-related disease, fertility, illness, and injuries.

What are the benefits of Dry July?

  • Improved overall physical and mental health
  • Improved sleep quality
  • More energy
  • Enhanced work performance
  • Improved memory and concentration
  • Better immunity
  • Lose weight
  • Decrease cholesterol
  • Lower blood glucose
  • Decrease in liver fat
  • Save money
  • Cut calories
  • Healthier skin – alcohol causes dehydration, so abstaining will leave you with hydrated, healthier-looking skin

What if I have a special event on in July?
A Golden Ticket gives a Dry July participant a night off their challenge. For a minimum cost of $25, their night off will still make a difference to the lives of people affected by cancer.

How does it work?

It’s simple.  4 easy steps.

  1. Sign Up
  2. Go alcohol-free in July
  3. Ask friends and family to support you
  4. Help people affected by cancer.

Sign up with your workplace and promote health and wellness, team connection and support people affected by cancer – https://www.dryjuly.com/users/sign_up

Is it Time to Prioritise your Employee Wellbeing Program?

Is it Time to Prioritise your Employee Wellbeing Program?

Ever wondered if it would be worth incorporating a corporate/employee wellbeing program into your workplace benefits?

According to My Short Lister (2021) and Hunter Link (2021), we’ve done the hard work for you and found the statistics and evidence!

How do employees benefit from Wellness Programs?

  • 70% of employees enrolled in wellness programs have reported higher job satisfaction than those not enrolled in the company’s program;
  • Employees are more likely to recommend a company that supports well-being, as a great place to work;
  • 56% of employees have fewer sick days because of wellness programs;
  • Employee morale is cited as the most improved (54%) metric from implementing wellness plans;
  • 62% of participants in a wellness plan said that is helped them lower healthcare costs;
  • Increased productivity;
  • Improved engagement;
  • Encourages innovation;

How employers benefit from Wellness Programs?

  • Increased productivity from their employees;
  • Reduced accidents and incidents;
  • Reduced absenteeism;
  • Increased staff engagement and retention;
  • Positions your company for an employer of choice;
  • 63% of employers offering wellness programs reported increased financial sustainability and growth;
  • For every US dollar spent on wellness programs, the company saves $5.82 in lower employee absenteeism costs;
  • About 77% of employees agree that workplace wellness programs can help reduce costs;
  • Employees feel their needs are recognised and valued and goodwill and collaboration is more prominent;

What are some ideas to incorporate into your wellness program?

  • Yearly health assessments, measuring heart health, diabetes screening and cholesterol screening (offered by WHS Vic);
  • Yearly skin checks (offered by WHS Vic);
  • Education sessions on healthy eating and physical activity in the workplace (offered by WHS Vic);
  • Free flu shots for employees on site (reducing sick days and minimising the time spent away from work, offered by WHS Vic);
  • Offer workshops on stress management in the workplace(offered by WHS Vic);
  • Bike sharing program;
  • Lunchtime walking group;
  • Lunchtime meditation;
  • Mental health training workshops (offered by WHS Vic);
  • Resiliency and positive psychology (offered by WHS Vic);
  • Corporate yoga/pilates classes;
  • Team fitness challenges – ie. the team who runs the most km’s for the month wins a prize;
  • Gym membership subsidies;
  • Team games;
  • Corporate team cooking classes;
  • Healthy cooking demonstrations;
  • Nutrition seminars (offered by WHS Vic);
  • Men’s and Women’s Health Seminars (offered by WHS Vic);
  • Corporate massages;
  • Corporate retreats;
Tradies’ National Health Month

Tradies’ National Health Month

August raises awareness of the risks posed to those who work in trade occupations.
According to Victoria Health and Queensland Health, some common health issues that tradies are faced with include:
• Consistent sun exposure
• Psychological pressure
• Poor mental health
• Poor nutrition
• Insufficient exercise
• Alcohol and drugs
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂?
We offer 𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 to construction sites from qualified 𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠, 𝑝𝑠𝑦𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑠.
Our 𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠 are skilled in educating what foods to eat at certain times of the day to fuel your brain, how to maintain a healthy body weight and considerations for shift workers.
Our 𝑝𝑠𝑦𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑠 are skilled in educating worksites on well being within the workplace, the effect of drugs and alcohol on one’s ability to work, coping with stress and anxiety, managing conflict and maintaining a work-life balance.
Our 𝑝ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑠 educate on lifting techniques in the workplace, stretches and strength exercises to minimise the risk of workplace injury.
On top of this we offer skin checks from qualified 𝐺𝑃’𝑠, health assessments conducted by 𝑁𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑠 and Drug & Alcohol testing.
Get in contact with us to celebrate and support your tradies – [email protected] or 0456 387 569.