Employee health and wellbeing is a key focus area for Premier Coal. We use the HealthMap medical and fitness assessment program which involves personal monitoring and promotion programs to ensure our workforce is assessed and educated about health issues. Available to all employees, we commission local medical practitioners and a physiotherapist to provide free confidential “snapshot” reports of health status. Employees can either attend the HealthMap sessions on site or visit their own doctor.
Premier Coal also runs a monthly physiotherapy clinic as part of our injury management program. This program is aimed at musco-skeletal injuries incurred at work and offsite, ensuring these injuries are not aggravated by current activity. Assistance such as task modification and strengthening exercises are advised.
Our health promotion can change focus from year to year. For example, in 2002 we concentrated on strain injury prevention, fitness for work, weight loss and a smoke-free environment. A variety of other programs are provided such as Diabetic risk assessments and weight-loss group meetings. Teams regularly enter the annual Corporate Global Challenge competition which promotes well being by encouraging activity and better diet.
Some private, employee wellbeing issues are addressed by our Employee Assistance Program involving an independent service provider, available free to our employees and their immediate family. This is a confidential service aimed at resolving or assisting with personal issues that may have an impact on work.
In accordance with regulatory requirements, we have a Mine Workers Health Surveillance program which includes testing of hearing.
Basic workplace first aid training is available to all employees, run monthly through St John Ambulance, with a view to there always being personnel with knowledge to apply first-response techniques in an emergency.
Health concern extends to ergonomic risk assessment of individual work areas for each department to ensure our personnel are trained in the correct use and layout of computer workstations.
Training is also provided in strain injury prevention including various topics such as spine physiology, care of the
musco-skeletal system and correct manual handling techniques.
Premier Coal also has a “fitness for work” program aimed at fatigue management, physical and mental fitness, and the achievement of a site free of risk from the effects of alcohol and other drugs to maximise workplace safety.
With 12-hour rosters, fatigue and shift work issues require a special effort by our employees. Premier Coal has run courses in “managing a shift work lifestyle” and provide a reference booklet for everyone.