Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Officer, Rex Hoy today, on World Mental Health Day encouraged Australians to stop and think about the impact mental health can have on workers and work health and safety.
“It is easy to think of work health and safety as a purely physical issue when in reality mental stress is a serious problem for many workers, their families, friends and employers,” said Mr Hoy.
Work-related mental stress workers’ compensation claims are the most expensive form of workers’ compensation claim because they usually involve lengthy periods of absence. It is estimated mental stress accounts for five percent of all work-related injuries. However due to a number of factors workers who experience mental stress are far less likely to claim workers’ compensation than workers with other injuries.
“During Safe Work Australia Month let’s aim to raise awareness of mental health. Take the initiative and leave work on time or go for a walk at lunch time to get out of the workplace and get some fresh air. Help fellow workers reduce stress levels by encouraging them to take regular breaks from work or participate in workplace activities during safety month,” said Mr Hoy.
Check Safe Work Australia’s safety month app for Take 10@10 ideas focusing on National Mental Health Week or events being run in your area with a focus on mental health.
For more information about safety month, activities in your state or territory or to register as a Safety Ambassador visit www.swa.gov.au, follow Safe Work Australia on Facebook or download the Safe Work Australia Safety Month app from the Apple App store or the Google Play store.