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29 June 2010

WorkSafe Victoria and the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) have joined forces to help more Victorian workers gain access to a vital WorkHealth check.

“As a state-wide program, WorkHealth has the potential to positively impact on the lives of over 2.6 million working Victorians,” Mr Brumby said.

“The support of representative groups such as the AWU in working with employers to facilitate WorkHealth checks, and promoting and encouraging participation among Victorian workers will ensure as many people as possible benefit from this program.”

The arrangement will see AWU take a lead role in encouraging more employers to offer WorkHealth checks to their workforce, as well as informing and motivating workers to seize the opportunity to take a proactive approach to health.

The partnership will build on WorkHealth’s existing targeted campaigns in the construction, transport and manufacturing sectors, promoting the confidential 15-minutes checks in industries which are known to have a particularly high-risk population.

Find the facts about your health

Mr Brumby said WorkHealth checks are a valuable opportunity for workers to learn about their health, as many struggle to find the time for a regular check up and may not be aware of hidden health risks.

“The fact is that most people don’t know if they’re at risk of chronic disease. They may not be as healthy as they think and this could be impacting on their quality of life, including their performance and engagement at work,” Mr Brumby said.

“Results show that around 40% of workers are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes or heart disease, and that number is as high as 48% for working males.

“Which just serves to highlight the importance of understanding where you’re at with you health, and what you can do in terms of lifestyle to reduce your risk of chronic disease.”

 A great step for workers

The AWU’s Victorian Secretary, Cesar Melhem welcomed the announcement.

“The Victorian Government and WorkSafe are to be congratulated on taking such a bold step to help promote good health among workers. It is a great step forward for community well-being,” Mr Melhem said.

“The AWU is delighted to be able to help members take control of their health, which is exactly what this program allows them to do. I’ve had a WorkHealth check and I will be telling all our members that they should do the same." 

Worksafe has received an overwhelming response to the WorkHealth program with more than 170,000 workers now having had a WorkHealth check, and over 10,000 Victorian businesses signed up to participate.

But for WorkHealth to make a lasting impact on the health, safety and resilience of the Victorian workforce, Mr Brumby said this trend needs to continue.

“This partnership with the AWU complements WorkSafe Victoria’s ongoing work with employers and workers, and is an important part of ensuring all Victorian workers can access the WorkHealth checks quickly and conveniently in the workplace,” Mr Brumby said.