According to the Australian Government – Department of Health (2020), Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases.
COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new coronavirus. It was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, City in China.
If you believe you are sick with COVID-19, DO NOT ATTEND YOUR LOCAL GP UNANNOUNCED. Please call the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Information Line – 1800 020 080. They will advise on steps to take.
If you’d like to talk to your GP, call the clinic and speak with reception before potentially spreading the virus to others.
If you need to self-isolate:
According to health.gov.au, If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you must stay at home to prevent it spreading to other people.
You might also be asked to stay at home if you may have been exposed to the virus.
Staying at home means you:
Do not go to public places such as work, school, shopping centres, childcare or university;
Ask someone to get food and other necessities for you and leave them at your front door;
Do not let visitors in — only people who usually live with you should be in your home;
You do not need to wear a mask in your home. If you need to go out to seek medical attention, wear a surgical mask (if you have one) to protect others.
It is recommended that all adults should aim for at least 7-9 hours sleep per night – (Sleep Health Foundation, 2019).
What are the benefits of a good night’s sleep on your work performance?
Increases alertness;
Improves memory;
Increases productivity;
Higher levels of reasoning;
Decreases stress;
Levels mood;
Increases attention to detail;
Allows for focused, reasonable thinking;
Ability to think more clearly;
On top of this, sleep can help you to:
Maintain a healthy body weight;
Decrease your risk of developing heart disease or stroke;
Decrease your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes;
Avoid depression;
Increase your immune function;
Decrease inflammation in the body;
(healthline.com, 2018)
What can you do to ensure a good night’s sleep?
According to sleepfoundation.org, the best tips are:
Stick to a sleep schedule – same bedtime and same wake up time, even on weekends;
Practice a relaxation bedtime ritual – A relaxing, routine activity (such as reading or meditation) conducted away from bright lights;
Avoid naps – power naps may get you through the day, but if you find you can’t get to sleep at bedtime, cut them out;
Exercise daily – vigorous exercise is best, but even light activity is better than no activity;
Evaluate your room – your bedroom should be cool, free from any noise or light. Consider ear plugs and eye masks;
Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows – invest, full stop.
Avoid bright lights at night time – save this for the morning;
Wind down – spend the last hour before bed doing a calming activity such as reading. For some people, electronic devices such as a laptop can make it hard to fall asleep;
If you can’t sleep, go into another room and do something relaxing until you feel tired – it is best to take work materials, computers and televisions out of the bedroom. Save your bed for sleep;
If you’re still having trouble sleeping – don’t hesitate to speak to your local GP.
According to Hearing Australia, hearing loss is when your ability to hear is reduced, making it more difficult for you to hear speech and all the other sounds of life.
‘Hearing loss affects approximately one in seven people in Australia’ – HCIA (2017)
Safe Work Australia (2019) notes that work-related noise-induced hearing loss is a preventable but irreversible condition that affects many Australian workers. Dangerous levels of noise are over 85 decibels across an 8-hour shift or a maximum noise level of 140 decibels. This may include tasks using a sledgehammer, front-end loader, lawn mower or a chainsaw.
According to Worksafe Australia (2019), if an employee needs hearing protection to reduce their exposure below the standard, you must provide audiometric testing within three months of when they start the relevant work, and at least every two years.
Worksafe Health Victoria provide hearing tests to workplaces to help you protect your employees and organisation – please contact us on [email protected]
Occupations that are connected to occupational hearing loss include:
Factory workers;
Entertainment venue employees;
Musicians;
Farmers;
Construction workers;
Coaches and game officials;
Pre-school teachers and cafeteria workers;
Surgeons using medical drills;
Military personnel;
The good news is, ‘Over a third (37%) of adult hearing loss is preventable’ – HCIA (2017).
How can your workplace help prevent employees from hearing loss?
Provide employees with necessary personal protective equipment including ear plugs or ear muffs when performing tasks or visiting sites using machinery that is greater than 85 decibels;
Provide appropriate training to employees;
Provide appropriate education to employees;
Rotate employees between noisy and quiet jobs;
Ensure all levels of management, from office workers to tradespeople are aware of dangerous levels of noise and the necessity to wear protective equipment when exposed;
Introduce engineering controls, such as adding material to reduce vibrations on machines, fitting silencers to air exhausts and blowing nozzles;
Erect enclosures around machines to reduce the amount of noise emitted into the environment;
Use barriers and screens to block the direct path of sound;
Position noise sources further away from workers;
Please contact us should you require education to your staff or hearing tests – [email protected]
Better late than never, right? It is not too late to join febfast this month!
“Febfast is where individuals call time-out on alcohol, sugar or another vice of their choice, to support disadvantaged youth in Australia. It is the perfect excuse to kick-start the year with a little good health and good will.” – febfast.org.au (2019).
During febfast, you can choose to give up alcohol, sugar or anything else that tickles your fancy! To register and donate, click on the link – https://febfast.org.au/signup
As working adults, sometimes we find it hard juggling work, study, family time and relaxing. Find out what works for you, should it be packing your lunch the night before to ensure you cover your nutritious needs or writing a shopping list before you hit the supermarket!
What makes up a healthy lunch?
Breads and cereals (preferably wholegrain);
Fruits, vegetables, and legumes (lots of different colours and flavours);
Low fat dairy, including milk, cheese and yoghurt;
‘Most of our waking hours are spent at work, which means the working environment can play a big part in our health and well-being’ – Health Direct (2018).
Workplace Health and Safety Victoria’s aim is to provide employers with services which encourage holistically a happy and healthy workplace setting, which in turns saves your business’ back pocket!
What services can we provide your business?
Workplace Health Assessments;
Drug & Alcohol Testing;
Flu & Travel Vaccinations;
Workplace Health Education;
Equipment Hire;
Education;
‘Poor employee health is costing Australian businesses $7 billion annually’– SmartCompany (2019).
We believe that early intervention is the key to your happy workplace and loss of employer income due to ill-health.
What are the benefits of implementing workplace health within your business?
Reduced absenteeism;
Increased productivity;
Reduced staff turnover;
Improved staff morale;
Reduced insurance costs;
Reduced risk of fines and litigation;
A positive and caring image;
‘Most of our waking hours are spent at work, which means the working environment can play a big part in our health and well-being’ – Health Direct (2018).
Workplace Health and Safety Victoria’s aim is to provide employers with services which encourage holistically a happy and healthy workplace setting, which in turns saves your business’ back pocket!
What services can we provide your business?
Workplace Health Assessments:
Drug & Alcohol Testing;
Flu & Travel Vaccinations;
Workplace Education;
Equipment Hire;
Education;
Workplace Health Assessments: Workplace Health and Safety Victoria offer workplaces an array of services to maximise the health of your employees, minimising unnecessary costs to your business. Our clinical nurse consultant visits your workplace for your convenience.
Pre-employment medical assessments are a workforce risk management tool used to assess an individual’s risk factors that may limit their ability to perform a job safely and effectively. Due to the extent of the tests required, we offer your employee to visit our clinic for a thorough assessment with our GP. Our pre-employment medicals are customised to suit the requirements of the job.
Our assessments can include:
Urine, Drug and Alcohol screening
Audiograms
Vision tests
Blood pressure
Full Spirometry (Lung function)
Body mass index
Urine analysis
Strength tests
Joint range of motion
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Optional Assessments:
Spinal Assessment
DorsaVi (Specific muscular skeletal testing)
Skin Checks
Functional Capacity Assessments
Chest X-ray
MRI
*A range of other tests can be included on request when required.
Drug & Alcohol Testing;
“Alcohol and drugs cost Australian workplaces an estimated $6 billion per year in lost productivity.” – Alcohol and Drug Foundation (2017)
The use of drugs and alcohol can impact on workplaces in several ways, affecting relationships, safety and productivity:
Alcohol and drugs cost Australian workplaces an estimated $6 billion per year in lost productivity;
Recent research has estimated that 2.5 million days are lost annually due to drinking and drug use, at a cost of more than $680 million;
1 in 10 workers say they have been affected by a co-worker’s use of alcohol. For example, a reduced ability to do their own job, involvement in an accident or close-call, and having to work extra hours to cover for a co-worker; (Alcohol and Drug Foundation – 2017)
Impact of Drug and Alcohol Abuse:
According to NCADI statistics, alcohol and drug users:
Are far less productive;
Use three times as many sick days;
Are more likely to injure themselves or someone else;
Are five times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim
In addition, to deaths and accidents, absenteeism and loss of production, other problems that alcohol and drug abuse can cause on the job include:
Increased likelihood of having trouble with co-workers/supervisors or tasks;
Preoccupation with obtaining and using substances while at work, interfering with attention and concentration;
Illegal activities at work including selling illicit drugs to other employees;
Higher turnover;
Disciplinary procedures; (Very Well Mind, 2020)
How can Workplace Health and Safety Victoria help your workplace?
On-site testing;
In clinic testing;
Pre-employment testing;
Training and education – A workplace drug testing program partly represents an employer’s effort to keep the environment at work safe for everyone;
Our accredited drug & alcohol testers can visit your workplace and conduct drug and alcohol testing or your staff can come to either of our conveniently located practices, Myers Street Family Medical Practice or The Cottage Medical Centre. We use saliva and/or urine drug testing tools along with our state-of-the-art breathalysers.
All results that are non-negative are sent to the laboratory and verified by a second more specific test before it is considered a positive. Chain of Custody protocols are always strictly adhered to and all information kept discreetly ensuring the privacy of employees and employers alike.
Education is an important part of drug and alcohol testing and we encourage all of our companies to be pro-active in this area so that everyone involved understands that this is a positive initiative that will benefit employees and employers.
Flu & Travel Vaccinations:
“On average, the flu causes an estimated 3,500 deaths in Australia each year”
– health.qld.gov.au (2018)
What is influenza?
Influenza is a respiratory illness commonly known as ‘the flu’. While most people recover form the flu in about a week, sometimes the flu can lead to other serious health problems such as bronchitis or pneumonia and in some cases, can be deadly – health.qld.gov.au (2018).
What are an employee’s chances of getting the flu?
Each year, about 5-10% of people in Australian communities get the flu. Some years, it can be as high as 20%. This means, the chances of employees getting the flu is 1 in 5 – (NIB – 2019).
Signs and Symptoms of the flu:
Fever and chills;
Cough, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose;
Muscle aches, joint pains, headaches and fatigue;
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea;
It is important to seek immediate medical advice if the illness quickly becomes worse or if any of the following symptoms occur:
Shortness of breath or rapid breathing;
Chest pain;
Confusion or sudden dizziness;
Persistent vomiting;
Symptoms generally appear between two or four days after exposure. (health.nsw.gov.au – 2019).
If an employee is sick with flu-like symptoms, they should stay at home until these symptoms have subsided.
What can employers do to avoid the flu?
Encourage employees to get vaccinated;
Take steps to minimise spread of infection by educating their staff of signs and symptoms;
The provision of cough and hand hygiene materials in the workplace such as antibacterial gel, tissues, etc;
(health.nsw.gov.au – 2019)
What can employees do to avoid the flu?
Eat a healthy, balanced diet containing plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit;
Get the flu shot;
Aim for at least 7 hours per night;
Keep your distance if another employee comes to work with the flu;
Consult your manager if another employee comes to work with the flu;
Keep your workstation sanitised and practice good hygiene, especially after touching doorknobs, kitchen appliances, handrails and water fountains;
(EmploySure – 2019)
How does the flu shot work?
Australian flu vaccines expose the immune system to tiny amounts of the inactivated flu virus. The body then produces its own antibodies (which fight infections) and therefore, when the body is exposed to surface proteins of the flu, the person’s immune system will recognise these proteins and fight them.
Workplace Health and Safety Victoria are also able to provide your employees with travel vaccines.
Workplace Health Education:
We believe that they key to a happy and healthy workplace is prevention.
We provide workplaces health education sessions for the following but not excluded to:
Ergonomics;
Healthy diet and exercise;
The effects of drugs and alcohol on the body and it’s performance;
Health awareness including heart health, ovarian cancer, bowel cancer awareness or recommendations by you;
Preventing and managing health conditions;
Mental Health Awareness and managing;
Managing workplace stress;
Skin health awareness;
Diabetes awareness and management;
Please get in touch if you have a specific topic you would like us to educate your employees on.
Equipment Hire:
Through our sister-company ’30 Minute Fitness’, we hire out the following fitness equipment to encourage your employees to exercise for 30 minutes per day:
