Health Case Studies
Our Fit for Work/Fit for Life initiative comprises guidelines and toolkits to promote a consistent approach to managing employee health issues across the Company. Designed to help sites establish health management programs, the guidelines and toolkits cover drug and alcohol issues, employee assistance, health promotion, medical assessment, occupational rehabilitation, travel health, ergonomic analysis and fatigue management. The aim is to ensure our employees are capable of performing all activities required of them and that they are not put at risk while undertaking their jobs. Here are examples of the initiative being put into action at some of our operations.
Carbon Steel Materials, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), central Queensland, Australia
Two overnight radio programs are helping shift workers at BMA's coal mines to combat fatigue and keep safety in focus.
Following employee suggestions, BMA Saraji mine approached local commercial radio broadcaster 4HI with a sponsorship concept that resulted in 'BMA Miner's Overnite'. The live program, from midnight to 6.00 am, presents reminders about mine safety; and shift workers and their families and friends can request songs and send in messages to be broadcast. Other BMA mines soon joined in, with each mine being allocated a month in which they can specify a theme based on their own safety priorities.
- BMA shift worker Rennie Jansen volunteers as a DJ on
4RFM's popular 'BMA Nite Show'
Shift workers in the Moranbah community have the choice of listening to the program or tuning into their own 'BMA Nite Show' on Community Radio 4RFM. This pre-recorded program also presents safety messages but with a twist: volunteer DJs include employees from BMA mines. BMA provided funding for 4RFM to employ a part-time manager to help the station work towards its goal of self-sufficiency and assist the volunteers to establish the program.
Sue Kotara of 4RFM says, 'Most of the volunteers at 4RFM are either husbands, wives, children or neighbours of shift workers, so it seemed a natural progression that we wanted to contribute to what we saw as family and safety issues within our community as a mining town. Our ongoing policy is to entertain and inform and keep everyone awake on night shift with an easy listening format'.
Rennie Jansen, a BMA shift worker and station volunteer, says, 'The music allows me to keep my focus on the job at hand and the safety messages keep us alert at all times'.
Energy Coal, Mt Arthur Coal, New South Wales, Australia
A formal risk assessment at Mt Arthur Coal recognised fatigue as a potential hazard, particularly since employees moved to a 12-hour day and night-rotating roster. A program of education and information was seen as essential.
A Fatigue Risk Management Project was initiated, managed by a team from across the operation. They analysed the operation's fatigue risks and reviewed causes and effects of fatigue and risk management processes. This led to the development of Fatigue Risk Management Guidelines covering education, recognising signs of fatigue, preventing fatigue and managing issues.
Education sessions were conducted for all employees, focusing on lifestyle issues, fatigue prevention and responsibilities in managing fatigue as a workplace risk. Emphasis was placed on reporting fatigue issues as a step in identifying risks.
It was recognised that a major issue for employees is getting adequate rest and sleep to be fit for work and the role that families play in this. Family education sessions were held, with presentations on sleep, fatigue and lifestyle and the screening of a video that features employees showing a range of tasks and work environments to demonstrate why preparation for work is of prime importance. Fatigue management education was also incorporated into the induction process.
A project review showed there was still work to be done regarding adequate preparation for work and identifying other barriers that may impact on fitness for work. Counselling is being provided for employees experiencing problems in this regard, and other strategies and programs are being developed. The Fatigue Risk Management Program will continue to be reviewed and refined as the needs of employees and the business change.
Aluminium, Worsley Alumina, southwest Western Australia
Worsley has developed a Waist Reduction Program for shift workers at the refinery as part of a program to improve employees' long-term health and fitness.
- Worsley's Darren Guy (L) and James Green clock up the
kilometres in the waist reduction challenge
Research has shown that a high level of abdominal fat increases sleep apnoea, which can reduce productivity and increase the risk of work-related injuries. As well as targeting obesity and 'pot bellies', the program encompassed related issues such as exercise, effects of alcohol, nutrition, food preparation, motivation, fatigue and goal setting.
The primary goal of the program is to reduce body fat and improve the fitness levels of the 16 volunteer participants. It was designed with the assistance of an on-site occupational health and safety officer and consultant exercise physiologist.
An assessment and multi-stage fitness test is followed by lectures, participation in the program and follow-up tests. As a management initiative to support commitment to the program, participants can spend 30 minutes of each shift in the on-site fitness and rehabilitation centre.
After 12 weeks, the 16 participants in the initial program achieved a combined weight loss of 87 kilograms, an average of around 5.4 kilograms per person. The combined reduction in body fat was 165 millimetres, an average of 10.3 millimetres per person. The multi-stage fitness test showed a significant increase in the level of aerobic fitness and agility, with an average increase of 18 stages out of the possible 217, or an average 8.5 per cent increase.
For Worsley, the overall benefits from the Waist Reduction Program include improvements in health and fitness levels, working efficiency and the ability to cope with shift work, all potentially leading to improved safety performance.
Base Metals, Cannington silver/lead/zinc operation, northwest Queensland, Australia
Our Cannington operation is focusing on reducing soft tissue injury through its comprehensive Strainbusters program.
During 2002 and 2003, strain, sprain and other musculoskeletal injuries were approaching 50 per cent of all work injuries. The associated cost in personal pain and suffering, lost productivity, medical treatment and worker's compensation expenses further highlighted the need for improvement.
- Cannington occupational therapist Bobbie Walker
assesses the manual handling technique of
Site Services Coordinator Dave Brockwell
A pilot program in 2002 had shown success, and in early 2004 site occupational therapist Bobbie Walker updated and expanded it to encompass additional ergonomics and health initiatives and the participation of all employees. The aim was to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in sprain and strain injuries per year.
The program has been designed to cover risk factors related to sprains and strains, taking into account the different tasks and working environments. While individual assessments form its core, the program includes a vibration monitoring project, weight loss initiatives, hydration management education, fitness and strength programs, manual handling training, workplace stretching programs and an ergonomics task force.
Important links are the site's pre-employment processes, ensuring potential employees have the physical capacity to perform their job, and the early and proactive rehabilitation of injuries to prevent recurrence.
The first year of the program has indicated its potential to achieve the target, with the rate of injuries due to strains and sprains falling from 16 injuries per quarter to between 8 and 10 injuries per quarter. Based on the principle of continuous improvement, Strainbusters is a sustainable program that can help improve health and safety at Cannington throughout 2005 and beyond.
