Health and Wellbeing Program

A health and wellbeing pilot program was introduced at Westside Bus Company’s depot at Redbank in August 2012.

The program was championed by Graham Henry, one of the depot Network Officers, himself motivated to lose weight and improve his general health and fitness.

The initial aim was to identify opportunities that supported group and individual needs as well as work schedules.

Introduction

A review was conducted of local sport and health clubs and their programs

The Goodna swimming pool, less than 5 minutes from the Redbank depot, provided pool access and water aerobics in association with a local gym for a very reasonable cost

Through initial enquiries information was gained on Government and other local support organisations

These initially included ‘Lighten Up’ a program supported by Queensland Health, ‘Snap’ supported by the Ipswich Hospital Foundation, Gym and Water Aerobics, as well as a Walking club

The Program

BUS QLD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING PROGRAM

GYM and WATER AEROBICS Program available

STARTING IN JULY

9 WEEK HEALTH AND WELL-BEING PROGRAM

Bus Qld Walking Club

Set up by the National Heart Foundation

‘SNAP’ PROGRAM

A Health Check by the

Ipswich Hospital Foundation

The Ipswich Hospital Foundation provided a registered nurse to conduct health checks on all interested personnel, at no cost

This ‘SNAP’ program was to provide information on general health (cholesterol, blood sugar and weight), giving employees information to decide on their individual needs and health requirements

Unfortunately these health checks have been cancelled due to State government cutbacks

Queensland University became aware of the initiative and provided a student doing his doctorate on obesity in men to conduct fitness checks. This included a personal health questionnaire and supply of waist band monitoring equipment, similar to a pedometer, for a week with results of each participant due to be received

Providers

We met with representatives from the Australian Better Health Initiative, a joint Federal and State government program, to discuss the Lighten Up program

This was a sponsored program that required a weekly 2 hour presentation over a 10 week period

The Lighten Up approach is about learning new habits and putting equal emphasis on three aspects of a healthy lifestyle:

Looking at ways to support healthy lifestyle changes

Making healthy food choices

Being more physically active

Lighten up program

With our rostering, breaks and split shifts, meeting the 2 hour presentation over 10 weeks proved to be a significant challenge

As a result, the program is being converted to a CD presentation which will be available in early 2013

These will be issued to drivers on an individual basis

Lighten up program cont’d

As part of the health initiatives implemented, Graham also registered the business with the Heart Foundation, Walking for Better Health

This program was predominantly designed for school bus drivers whose morning rosters concluded at 9.00am

The drivers participated in local area 4 kilometre/40min walks

Driver Initiatives

Gym and Pool

The interest and participation has been higher than expected with 42 drivers currently involved

Water aerobics and gym workouts are included

The programs are designed to suit individual requirements

Walking group

Uptake was initially 15 drivers but reduced as the summer weather arrived

The intent is to resume when the weather cools

Driver uptake

Our driver age demographic is an area that we must remain mindful of when considering health and safety options for the business, for example:

60% of personnel at the Westside depot are over 50 years of age

27% of those are over 60; and

15% of those are over 65

Other depots have a higher average of mature age workers.

In the past year 30% of reported injuries and incidents were related to slips, trips and falls.

Risks

The aim is to further support and grow the Westside depot initiatives, introduce complementary programs and implement across the other Bus Queensland depots.

An Ipswich based Physiotherapist has been approached to initially come and speak to drivers on general fitness and exercise for drivers.

In association with the Drivers Committee and depot social club the depot has introduced healthy snack options. Currently these include:

healthy frozen meals

long-life rice/noodle meals; and

bottled water.

2013