A health and wellbeing pilot program was introduced at Westside Bus Company’s depot at Redbank in August The program was championed by Graham Henry, one of the depot Network Officers, himself motivated to lose weight and improve his general health and fitness. The initial aim was to identify opportunities that supported group and individual needs as well as work schedules.

 A review was conducted of local sport and health clubs and their programs  The Goodna swimming pool, less than 5 minutes from the Redbank depot, provided pool access and water aerobics in association with a local gym for a very reasonable cost  Through initial enquiries information was gained on Government and other local support organisations  These initially included ‘Lighten Up’ a program supported by Queensland Health, ‘Snap’ supported by the Ipswich Hospital Foundation, Gym and Water Aerobics, as well as a Walking club

 The Ipswich Hospital Foundation provided a registered nurse to conduct health checks on all interested personnel, at no cost  This ‘SNAP’ program was to provide information on general health (cholesterol, blood sugar and weight), giving employees information to decide on their individual needs and health requirements  Unfortunately these health checks have been cancelled due to State government cutbacks  Queensland University became aware of the initiative and provided a student doing his doctorate on obesity in men to conduct fitness checks. This included a personal health questionnaire and supply of waist band monitoring equipment, similar to a pedometer, for a week with results of each participant due to be received

 We met with representatives from the Australian Better Health Initiative, a joint Federal and State government program, to discuss the Lighten Up program  This was a sponsored program that required a weekly 2 hour presentation over a 10 week period  The Lighten Up approach is about learning new habits and putting equal emphasis on three aspects of a healthy lifestyle:  Looking at ways to support healthy lifestyle changes  Making healthy food choices  Being more physically active

 With our rostering, breaks and split shifts, meeting the 2 hour presentation over 10 weeks proved to be a significant challenge  As a result, the program is being converted to a CD presentation which will be available in early 2013  These will be issued to drivers on an individual basis

 As part of the health initiatives implemented, Graham also registered the business with the Heart Foundation, Walking for Better Health  This program was predominantly designed for school bus drivers whose morning rosters concluded at 9.00am  The drivers participated in local area 4 kilometre/40min walks

 Gym and Pool  The interest and participation has been higher than expected with 42 drivers currently involved  Water aerobics and gym workouts are included  The programs are designed to suit individual requirements  Walking group  Uptake was initially 15 drivers but reduced as the summer weather arrived  The intent is to resume when the weather cools

 Our driver age demographic is an area that we must remain mindful of when considering health and safety options for the business, for example:  60% of personnel at the Westside depot are over 50 years of age  27% of those are over 60; and  15% of those are over 65  Other depots have a higher average of mature age workers.  In the past year 30% of reported injuries and incidents were related to slips, trips and falls.

 The aim is to further support and grow the Westside depot initiatives, introduce complementary programs and implement across the other Bus Queensland depots.  An Ipswich based Physiotherapist has been approached to initially come and speak to drivers on general fitness and exercise for drivers.  In association with the Drivers Committee and depot social club the depot has introduced healthy snack options. Currently these include:  healthy frozen meals  long-life rice/noodle meals; and  bottled water.