An Introduction to FIT FOR WORK / FIT FOR LIFE
1. Context
a. Guidelines and Toolkits should be read and used in conjunction with the Charter, HSEC Policy, HSEC Management Standards and Fatal Risk Control Protocols
b. Guidelines are advisory only and provide guidance on the effective implementation of the HSEC Management Standards
c. Toolkits provide a preferred method for meeting the requirements of the HSEC Management Standards and the Fit for Work / Fit for Life Guidelines
2. Application and Scope
a. Guidelines and Toolkits apply to all BHP Billiton controlled sites and controlled activities, and to all BHP Billiton employees, contractors and visitors, when involved in controlled activities.
b. This initiative seeks to promote a consistent approach to the management of health issues in the work environment.
c. Holistic approach which recognises the family as an important component of the initiative.
d. Initiative consists of eight Guidelines (and associated Toolkits) :
* Drug and Alcohol Programs
* Fatigue Management Programs
* Fatigue Management
* Fatigue Impairment Assessment and Intervention
* Fatigue Education
* Medical Assessment Programs
* Travel Health Programs
* Ergonomic Analysis
* Occupational Rehabilitation Programs
* Health Promotion Programs
* Employee Assistance Programs
Drug and Alcohol Programs
a. Diagnose, treat and, ideally, prevent substance abuse
b. Reduce the incidence of workplace accidents and injuries
c. Reduce the incidence of problems (e.g. low productivity, absenteeism, staff turnover) related to alcohol and drugs
d. Provide support and rehabilitation to affected employees
e. Reduce ill effects related to drugs and alcohol in the community and family
f. Include a written policy, outlining those substances which are covered by the program, testing circumstances, disciplinary actions
Fatigue Management Programs
a. Identify and assess fatigue-related risks
b. Implement a process for controlling fatigue-related risks and their potential to impact on health and wellbeing
c. Clearly defines responsibilities of the employer, management and supervisors, and employees
d. Toolkits covers the areas of :
* Fatigue Impairment Assessment and Intervention
* Fatigue Education Programs
* Fatigue Management and Checklist
- Structure and design of work-time arrangements
- Employee fitness for work
- Management processes for monitoring and controlling potential for fatigue
- Effects of activities carried out during rostered and overtime hours, and non-rostered hours
Medical Assessment Programs
a. Detect current and future health risks
b. Ensure ongoing fitness for work
c. Provide access to thorough medical and health consultations
d. Promote and encourage a healthy lifestyle
e. Include the elements of :
* Health surveillance
* General medical assessment
* Pre-placement assessment
* Functional capacity assessment
* Extended medical assessment
* Exit medicals
* Vaccination programs
Travel Health Programs
a. Address health and medical issues associated with international business travel and relocation
b. Manage the adverse health risks associated with international business travel and relocation
c. Promote health and wellbeing of travellers through pre-departure preparation
d. Recognise the psychosocial impact of travel, including frequent separation from family
e. Provide for 24-hour access to medical advice, assistance, and where necessary, medical emergency evacuation
Ergonomic Analysis
a. Identify the specific tasks which must be undertaken in order to complete a job
b. Assess the impact of these tasks on the health, safety and wellbeing of the individual performing the task
c. Health-oriented approach, using the principles of ergonomics to make recommendations
d. Conducted by suitably qualified personnel and involve the persons who actually perform the tasks being analysed
e. Examples of checklists are provided to assist in conducting ergonomic analysis of site-based jobs, workstations, and functional abilities screens
Occupational Rehabilitation Programs
a. Help injured or ill employees to remain at work or return to work as soon as safely possible
b. Restore injured or ill workers to the fullest capacity for employment of which they are capable
c. Obtain the support of the workers colleagues, supervisors and managers during the occupational rehabilitation process
d. Ensure individuals are proactively involved in the management of, and recovery from, their injury or illness
e. Clearly define the responsibilities of the employer, the employee, the supervisor/manager, and the occupational rehabilitation personnel
f. Include return-to-work plans
g. Outline a procedure for grievance and dispute resolution
Health Promotion Programs
a. Help people change their lifestyles to move towards a state of optimal health – a balance of physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual health
b. Fit with the culture, understandings, legal and socio-economics of the location
c. Motivate the adoption of better health habits, provide information and develop skills that enable behaviour change
d. Improve wellbeing, morale, productivity and the health of the local community
e. Reduce workplace injuries and absenteeism
Employee Assistance Programs
a. Promote wellbeing through pro-active awareness programs
b. Provide short-term, confidential and independent assistance to employees and their immediate family members who may be experiencing personal or work-related problems
c. Provide assistance to managers and supervisors in dealing with difficult or sensitive work situations or employee issues
Fit for Work / Fit for Life
The Fit for Work/Fit for Life initiative :
a. will be linked to a Community of Practice
b. has Champions who will
* work to enhance understanding and dissemination of the initiative, and
* continue to develop operational understanding on managing these issues