2009 - Health & Wellbeing @ Work

Our third Pulp and Paper Industry OHS Conference "Health and Wellbeing @ Work" was held on the 27th and 28th of October, 2009, in Melbourne.

This year's conference was focussed on health and wellbeing and covered a wide range of topics around this central theme.  Our keynote speaker, "Dr Feelgood", provided an entertaining and informative discussion about the importance of looking after and making time for yourself within our busy schedules. Other topics that generated interest and discussion included fatigue management and drug and alcohol peer support programs.

This conference was themed around the topic "Health and Wellbeing @ Work" and was very successful.  With over 80 conference delegates each day and a wide range of presentations around the central topic there was a healthy buzz of conversation and debate during the breaks!

All presentations were of the highest standard and covered topics such as:

 · WorkHealth initiatives from WorkSafe Victoria

· Successful Consultative Pathways

· Supporting Injured Workers and Successful Return to Work

· Fatigue Management

· Alternatives to Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace

There were also a number of industry case studies from both within the pulp and paper industry and outside of our industry, including the brewing and public sectors.

Of course we also had the return of the 'Chill Out' Station with Tania Moloney and her team, including the very welcome addition of baby Nash.

As part of the WorkHealth program being rolled out across Victoria by WorkSafe we also had a health nurse from Foundation 49 on hand to conduct health checks for conference delegates.

Copies of most speaker presentations are available.  To download or view a PDF copy, please click here.

Conference highlights

Fatigue Management-How to Measure the Issue

MB Solutions have developed a fatigue calculator that utilises the calculations and principles developed by the Centre for Sleep Research in SA.  They provided fatigue calculators to all conference delegates and gave a presentation that explained the role that fatigue calculators can play in the assessment and management of work related fatigue.  This of course is a very complex issue and generated much lively discussion amongst conference delegates.  Whilst the calculators can be very helpful in assessing and identifying safe and unsafe periods they are not the only measure that should be taken into account when assessing and identifying appropriate control measures and programs to minimise fatigue.

An Effective Alternative to Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace

Trevor Sharp is the National Project Coordinator with the Building Trade Group of Unions Drug and Alcohol Committee.  Trevor is an extremely committed individual and provided a very engaging presentation on the peer support programs his organisation can offer in the workplace.  He also showcased the new training and information dvd that clearly explains the benefits and value these programs provide to workers who struggle with drug and alcohol issues.

The Value of Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace-A Brewery Experience

Tim McKinnon, National Manager HSE for Carlton and United Breweries provided a very honest and insightful case study about his organisation's consultative approach to health and safety in the workplace.  During his presentation Tim spent some time discussing a worker who had been fatally injured at the brewery in recent years and how this had affected everyone and the activities and steps taken to remember the lessons and honour their workmate.

Panel Discussion: CFMEU-Schneider Consulting-Australian Paper

To conclude this year's conference a panel discussion was held.  This was focussed on our key theme and topic "Health and Wellbeing @ Work".  Our mediator, Tim Woods, provided a number of curly questions for the panel members to address and gave them the opportunity to openly debate some of the more contentious issues around organisations actively managing the health and wellbeing of their workforce.

Chill Out Station

Tania Moloney and her team made a welcome return, offering seated massages to delegates during breaks.  This time round there was a lovely new addition to the team - baby Nash - who proved to be most chilled out!  Delegates were also delighted to find a massage frog in their conference bags, courtesy of StressWorks.

Delegates Cocktail Party

Tuesday night saw delegates adjourning to Lily Blacks, one of the many venues which make up Melbourne's famous laneway bar culture.  The night kicked off with margaritas and a great time was had by all.  It was a great chance for delegates to catch up with colleagues and chat informally about some of the issues coming out of the conference.

Key Outcomes

At the conclusion of the second day some key outcomes had clearly emerged.

  • Industry is going to be focussed on engaging their workers in cooperative OHS ventures into 2010 and these will include worker health programs and networking and information sharing opportunities with other organisations.
  • There is a high level of interest around both managing fatigue as a health and safety issue and drug and alcohol peer support programs.  Both of these issues will require a cooperative approach between the industrial parties to have successful outcomes.

In 2010 the Pulp and Paper Industry OHS&E Unit proposes to explore some of these issues further through workshops, information and training sessions to assist in facilitating the desired outcomes.

Thank You!

We'd like to thank all our conference speakers:

  • Tim Woods - Chairperson, Pulp and Paper Industry OHS&E Unit
  • Dr Sally Cockburn - Keynote Speaker
  • Dale Nissen - Feelingood@Work
  • Rachel Gualano - WorkHealth Program
  • Ewen McConchie - Schneider Australia Consulting
  • Kellie Ogilvie - Amcor Australia
  • Juanita Nolan - Kimberly-Clark Australia
  • Alex Millar - CFMEU Pulp and Paper Workers District
  • Graham Rodda - Kimberly-Clark Australia
  • Natalie Tindale - MB Solutions
  • Trevor Sharp - BTGU Drug and Alcohol Committee
  • Rosalind Read - CFMEU Forestry and Furnishing Products Division
  • Timothy McKinnon - Carlton and United Breweries
  • Trevor Meddis - SCA Hygiene Australasia
  • Jenine Smith - Australian Paper
And of course our Conference Partners and Sponsors for all of their generous support of this event:
  • FIRST Super
  • ForestWorks
  • StressWorks
  • Schneider Australia Consulting

And, finally, thanks to all the delegates who attended.  Your interest and commitment ensures the ongoing improvement of health and safety within our industry, which is something that benefits us all.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the next conference in 2011.  If you'd like to go on a mailing list for information on upcoming events, please click here.