07:22 am, Thursday 26 February, 2009

Workplace Health And Safety QLD (WHSQ) says larger state corporations should adopt a leadership role in workplace safety by establishing health and wellbeing programs in the workplace.

Speaking at a conference organised by the Association of Self Insured Employers of Queensland, WHSQ’s Executive Director Dr Simon Blackwood said the safety watchdog wanted to help workplaces introduce these programs, which would include programs to reduce obesity, smoking, Heavy Drinking, Unsafe Sun Exposure and Work-Related Psychosocial Injuries.

The authority claims running these programs would also benefit employers, as poor health can increase sick leave, compensable injuries and premature retirement.

It cited a World Health Organisation Report from 2008 which found workplace health programs resulted in a 27% reduction in sick leave absenteeism, a 26% reduction in sick leave costs, and a 32% reduction in workers compensation and disability claims over 3.6 years.

Report by Let us know

Report by Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know