Occupational health programmes
Wellness
The continuing good health of Rio Tinto's employees is critical in ensuring both business success and that the Group's principles and policies are achieved. These principles are reflected in key documents such as Rio Tinto's statement of business practice The way we work and the Occupational Health Standards.
Rio Tinto has recognised that all companies are facing three considerable human resource challenges in striving for excellence in the sustainable management of the health of employees:
- An aging population.
- Increasing health care costs.
- A worldwide skilled labour shortage
Rio Tinto has therefore commenced the development of a wellness strategy that will assist existing operational wellness programmes in mitigating these potential threats.
Wellness strategies that are targeted and integrated into an organisation are cost effective in improving both the health and welfare of employees and giving a return on investment. The foundation for effective wellness strategies is a Health and Productivity Management (HPM) approach. HPM is the integrated management of data and services related to all aspects of employee health that affect work performance.
Rio Tinto Australia and Rio Tinto HSE are co-sponsoring an HPM pilot study that will involve Argyle Diamonds, Rio Tinto Coal Australia, Rio Tinto Exploration Australia, ERA, and Rio Tinto Services Australia.
Employees of these businesses will be invited to participate in a survey that will identify those health conditions that have the greatest impact on the worker and productivity. This impact will then be quantified in dollar terms. The data will be collated with data on absenteeism, medical costs, workers compensation and other health related insurance costs so that businesses can appreciate the "true" cost of ill health.
The data will then be used to target wellness initiatives at those health conditions that are having the greatest impact upon poor health and productivity. Baseline data will have been collected so that the effectiveness of initiatives can be assessed. This consistent approach to the quantification of health costs will enable benchmarking of performance across all participating business units.
The success of the pilot study will be judged on business units having received adequate information that will enable the total cost of ill-health to be assessed and health conditions that have the maximum impact upon productivity identified. The HPM approach will then be assessed as to its utility to the Rio Tinto Group, with a view to incorporating it as the cornerstone of Rio Tinto's wellness strategy.
The potential benefits to Rio Tinto employees will be improved health and vitality and reduced health care costs. The potential benefits to Rio Tinto businesses will be greater workforce productivity, reduced health care costs, and a competitive advantage over other companies in recruitment and employee retention.
Case study ... Lifestyle/Wellness programme at Diavik
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