THE mining services industry and large construction companies operating in WA’s regional areas are often considered the most focused of all employers on workplace safety.
However, these sectors have reportedly indicated little public interest in the health component of ‘occupational health and safety’.
Body Active managing director Mark Armstrong said that, until five years ago, many related to the construction, mining and oil and gas industries “did not really want to know” about workplace health management.
Pointing out actual savings, such as through injury prevention and staff retention has helped, as has perseverance with big companies.
Body Active’s perseverance with a particular large company was a major breakthrough, Mr Armstrong said.
“Health is quite an elusive concept to a lot of people, because it’s very hard for them to see it,” he said.
“People still sit back in this area at the moment.
“They wait for someone to take on an initiative, and then when they see it works, they’ll jump on the bandwagon.
“The best programs and results come from ones where the company management not only supports the program, but actually understands what it is that is trying to be achieved.”
Body Active runs workplace health management and industrial athlete programs onsite in the eastern Goldfields and throughout the North West of WA, including the expanding industrial Burrup region.
The company has two and six-year contracts with three international construction and mining services based companies operating in regional WA, and is in talks to offer services on Barrow Island and in other Australian regional areas.
Last year it established its first offsite service in Carnarvon, is setting up one in Karratha now, and is planning to do so in Kalgoorlie in the next year.
