Men across Tasmania are being urged to think about, and act on, ways to be healthier and happier at
work during Men’s Health Week, which runs from 11-17 June 2012, and is focused on the impact
environMENts have on men’s health and wellbeing.

One Tasmanian business, De Bruyn ‘s Transport, has done just that, launching a Health and
Wellbeing program for their 195 mostly male staff, with a little help from the WorkCover Health and
Wellbeing Advisors.

WorkCover Health and Wellbeing Advisor Cameron Blight said the Advisors had worked with all
levels of the company and across all sites to develop a holistic program covering health topics from
mental health, preventing strokes, through to fatigue management and diabetes prevention and
management.

“De Bruyn’s Transport is a great example of the positive impact that a workplace can have on the
health and wellbeing of their employees,” Mr Blight said.

“Often men need extra prodding to think about their own health and De Bruyn’s is taking that extra
step to ensure the guys go home happy at the end of the day.

“Men’s health has become an important issue for several reasons. Throughout life, males
experience higher rates of illness, accidents and premature deaths than their female counterparts.
“At a glance, only five per cent of Australian men eat sufficient serves of fruit and vegetables, 48 per
cent have had a mental health condition, 42 per cent don’t do sufficient physical activity, 68 per cent
are overweight or obese, while only 39 per cent discuss healthy lifestyle options with their GP.
“Many men derive a large part of their identity and purpose from their occupation and so work plays
an important role in any man’s health.

“From an employers perspective, good workplace health and wellbeing leads to greater job
satisfaction, less absenteeism, reduced staff turnover, higher individual productivity, and ultimately,
higher profits.”

De Bruyn’s Transport Risk and Compliance Manager Ferdie Kroon said their 18 month health and
wellbeing program focused on a new health topic each month, including presentations from experts
and practical tools to apply to daily life.

“It is early days with our health and wellbeing program but we are really excited to see some of the
blokes taking action,” Mr Kroon said.

“We are positive that this program will stand our employees, and our organisation as a whole, in
good stead for the future.”

WorkCover Health and Wellbeing Advisors can come to you, free-of-charge and at a time that suits
you, to help you develop cost-effective strategies that suit your workplace.

To book a visit from an Advisor, phone 1300 776 572, email [email protected] or
visit www.workcover.tas.gov.au.
WorkCover Tasmania