‘The H in Workplace Health and Safety – a workplace experience’

Lisa Burnell – Director / WHS Working Group

Ronald Young & Co Builders

• Tasmanian family-owned residential construction company with 10 full-time employees

• Operational for over 40 years• Purchased by Paul & Lisa Burnell

in February 2011• The Directors recognised their

responsibilities to provide for the new WHS legislation

• Health & Well-being of staff

The Health & Well-being Journey

Ronald Young & Co Builders Health & Well-Being Program

• WorkCover Advisory service – provided advice on workplace safety and health & wellbeing

• Development of a RY Health & Well-being Policy

• Development of the RY HWB Program

HWB Program Development

Work Cover HWB Advisor – Cameron Blight

Ronald Young & Co Builders Health & Well-Being Program

• The Health & Well-being program (HWB) is directly linked into the RY WHS Plan

• The WHS Plan is part of the RY Business Plan

• The RY WHS Plan works on the principles of communication, consultation and cooperation

• Commitment to ensure that all workers go home safe, but are also healthy & happy at work

HWB Program Development

Ronald Young & Co Builders Health & Well-Being Program

• Director Lisa Burnell has qualifications in Cardiovascular Health & Project Management

• Combination of health knowledge & recognition of obligations as a company director

• Implementation has been a seamless and a low-cost activity

• 100% engagement by all employees

HWB Program Development

Ronald Young & Co Builders Health & Well-Being Program

• Staff Survey• Annual Calendar of

HWB Events• Including Well-being

events

Workplace Health & Well-being Initiatives

• Individual Health Assessments & Health Plans• Focus on Nutrition – Health Lunch Competition, kitchen

facility, fresh fruit• Know Your Numbers BP Campaign• Heart Week – Warning Signs of a Heart Attack• Men’s Health Issues• Contractor WHS Sessions• Drug & Alcohol Policy• WHS Newsletters

The Challenges Vs the WinsThe Challenges - Barriers to HWB

Areas for improvement / new initiativesThe Wins -

Management supportAchievements so far

Ronald Young & Co Builders Health & Well-Being Program

Ronald Young & Co Builders Health & Well-Being Program

Barriers • Culture Change• Time constraints• Consistency• Location (Contractor Workers)Areas for improvement / new

initiatives• Engagement of workplace

HWB Champions• Evaluation• Mental Health in the

Workplace

Ronald Young & Co Builders Health & Well-Being Program

Management Support – why our program has been successful -

• Small / Privately owned company

• Director / Owner is the Driver of HWB

• Commitment to WHS• No bureaucracy or ‘Red-Tape’

to prevent or slow down HWB initiatives

• No definitive budget constraints

Ronald Young & Co Builders Health & Well-Being Program

Achievements• Low cost / high outcomes• Improved staff health &

well-being and productivity• Reduced sick leave• Teamwork & job

satisfaction• Brand marketing• Finalist in the National

Preventive Health Awards