Earlier this year, Huon Valley Council offered all staff a free health screening. Held during work hours, the screenings checked for a number of general health items including blood pressure, skin cancers, vision, body mass index and diabetes.
Some 59 per cent of staff took part in the program – 48 per cent of these were internal staff members, while the rest were outdoor staff.
The doctor who conducts immunisations in the Valley on behalf of Council was approached to run the health screening program.
Council’s Risk and Safety Management Officer, Max Roberts, said the doctor did not offer any treatment, but urged staff with potential health problems to see their GP.
“The doctor wrote a cumulative report based on the findings of the health screenings, for example, ‘ten per cent of staff had potential skin cancers’ and so forth,” he said. “This report was then used to determine the viability of the program and whether it should become an ongoing initiative.”
The screenings have now been incorporated into Council’s health and fitness policy and will be held biennially.
Max Roberts said although some staff may have been sceptical at the first round of checks, he expects participant numbers to increase
next time.
“When you consider the high cost of illness and injury in terms of lost productivity, down time and absenteeism, it makes good business sense to invest in the health and wellbeing of employees.” he said.
Huon Valley Council also conducted a men’s health program for the wider community. A men’s health councillor was contracted to run the program, which covered issues such as prostate cancer, obesity and depression. A separate workshop was held exclusively for Council staff.
For further information contact Max Roberts on (03) 6264 8400.
