Port ties down healthy living

A tug moves between two ships at Marsden Point log port. Northport Ltd is taking steps to care for its staff. Photo / John Stone

A major employer is going full out to teach its staff about health and safety in the workplace as well as the advantages of healthy living.

Programmes initiated by Northport Ltd for its staff include mole mapping which has been approved in this year's budget for delivery in the coming months. Company health and safety officer Joe Cowan said the company was trying to be proactive with staff health and safety, but added there were long-term advantages for both staff and Northport Ltd.

"The programmes make us very compliant under current health and safety legislation. It also gives staff good information on how to reduce potential health issues."

The company developed a healthy lifestyles programme last year which was designed to promote awareness and engagement in the diet and exercise components of a healthy lifestyle. Mr Cowan ran a series of three toolbox talks which preceded two weeks of healthy food provision followed by a final toolbox talk summarising the main points of the programme.

Topics touched on included weight management (energy consumption and expenditure), diabetes and lung disease, cardiovascular exercise and mental health, and heart health - cholesterol, caffeine, smoking and body mass.

The company also offered healthy breakfasts and lunches at a reduced cost.

"Stroke and heart disease is among the main areas we target," Mr Cowan said.

He believes the programmes have successfully taught employees; how to read food labels; introduced satisfying and nutritious foods for breakfast and lunches; emphasised the link between good nutrition, sleep and exercise with good mental and physical health; taught employees basic tips for managing body weight; explained how the heart and lungs worked and how they interacted; promoted discussion about health and encouraged healthy decision making around diet and exercise and encouraged employees to initiate conversation around support they could use to improve their own health and wellbeing.

He said he does the detailed promotions with Northport Ltd staff only but has posted summaries on company scaling shed screens for log truck drivers and staff from other companies which operate from the port.

He said the company aims to be a health and safety leader. "Health and safety is viewed as a social responsibility but also a good business practice as a healthy, safe and organised workforce will be more efficient, engaged and reliable."