Welshpool Branch – Case Study

The Regional General Manager (WA), Glenn Swift discusses the rationale and results associated with the Optimum Program and the Welshpool Branch.

We demonstrated a Proof of Concept and identified the risk factor that was going to have the biggest impact on the employees. The combination of safety, science and statistics helped vindicated Komatsu’s investment.

We had continued support from the employees at the branch, senior management and the 0H&S team – led by Rod Blair. We delivered services and interventions based on the “real data” from the employees. This was ideal for an organisation who wanted to offer something different and comprehensive to their employees.

It was a delight to work with such a great bunch of people from Komatsu in WA.

The (not so) bullet-proof worker – case study

Optimum delivers a program that allows individuals to work directly with us to assess, track and continually evaluate their own health and wellbeing. They can identify what risks they are facing and how these risk factors impact on them being able to perform their job. There are 9 different Risk Assessment modules to choose from.

We were on site in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia delivering this program and an individual we’ll name John, selected the Healthy Heart Check module. He was 41 years of age, a technician, father, husband and brother. The collected data indicated he was also a high coronary risk. This was quite a surprise to John as he thought he was “bullet proof”. Sometimes one just needs a catalyst to bring about change.

In the 6 months between assessments, John was sent numerous education items, had the opportunity to go online through Optimum’s cloud-based Health Hub and update his heart health profile. He also followed through on the referrals to his GP and engaged his family for support. He was ready to make the changes required.

His weight decreased 10 kgs. His blood glucose now reads, “Diabetes unlikely”. His Blood Pressure reduced 15 points and his work clothes fit more comfortably. He no longer has any of the 8 risk factors we assess for heart health in the red zone. He also modified his lifestyle habits. The workforce now has a lower risk worker.

John did tell us “I knew I had to do something…but what? How do I start”? He was grateful to the Optimum Team for getting him back on track.

Heart disease in the workplace – case study

Currently we are hearing about high profile sportspeople suffering and dying from our major health risk – cardiovascular disease (CVD). Individuals in the workplace do not get the same notoriety but are faced with the same major killer. Middle aged men particularly are at greater risk at work and CVD remains the primary killer of females. While individuals are at high risk, so too is the business.

Our Programs that focus on reducing CVD risk have returned encouraging results in the workplace. We have been able to get two men to hospital in time to prevent their death. We have also seen a 36% increase in the low-risk group following our education, advice and plans of action.

A great percentage of risk factors are manageable and can be reversed. Our data suggests this can happen with a structured education and support Program.

Starting strong for Apprentices – case study

The work we have been lucky enough to do with apprentices in the mining and mining services industry gives us the evidence of how hard some of the younger folk find the workplace and all that goes with a change in lifestyle.

Most apprentices are straight out of school and can be as young as 15 years. In addition, we are seeing a growing number of females join the apprentice ranks. This changing gender mix automatically alters the “historical” risk profile of an apprentice. The health needs and issues faced by female apprentices reflect greater mental health issues, particularly anxiety.

During COVID for example, there was 160% increase in female apprentices reporting higher levels of anxiety. The impact on sleep patterns of an apprentice was also striking. We found that the quality of sleep was maintained at a high level, but the quantity of sleep dropped to around 50% of what is required. Apprentices were turning up for work sleep deprived.

Our data suggests certain populations in the workforce need specific interventions and support. In the case of the apprentice, our Program helped normalise head health patterns and continuously worked to improve their sleep patterns.