Nabenet

Douglas LPT and Nabenet are presenting a full day training session in Geelong (Wednesday 25 August 2010) and Ballarat (Tuesday 7 September 2010).  The day will be split into two parts, titled “Employers Guide to the dramatic amendments to the Accident Compensation Act” and “Harmonisation and business change – making OHS profitable”.  Presenters include Andrew Douglas, Managing Director of Douglas LPT, Andrew Paice, Director of Nabenet, Dr. David Borys, University of Ballarat and Gary Rowe, CEO and founder of Safety Action.  Please click below to download the event flyer and booking form.

Geelong Flyer/Booking Form

Ballarat Flyer/Booking Form

An article published in the Herald Sun on 5 July 2010 discusses the results of an analysis of 100,000 new Victorian WorkHealth Checks.  This analysis has found almost 50 percent of male workers are at high risk of type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease compared with 32 percent of women.  The article highlights other concerning health trends found amongst the Victorian population.  To view the article please click here.  For more information about the WorkHealth Initiative please contact Katie Riches (03 9819 2377 or katieriches@nabenet.com.au).

As a part of their New Employer Services program, Nabenet offers workers the opportunity to attend a motivational session conducted by Emma Gee.  Emma, a qualified Occupational Therapist, suffered a stroke in her 20′s.  Emma now shares her experiences with others as a presenter.  During her informative sessions at Nabenet, Emma discusses with workers the barriers she faced in returning to work following her illness.

To read more about the projects Emma is participating in please click here to view an article recently published in the Herald Sun.

On the 1st June 2010 Nabenet hosted the inaugural GOH&SN morning tea in Morwell.  This was a fantastic networking and education opportunity for all GOH&SN members, with three expert speakers from Nabenet delivering insights on:

Return to work planning in light of the legislative changes

-  Purpose of legislative changes

-  An outline of the sections that directly impact RTW

-  Practical examples of how to demonstrate compliance

The importance of early intervention in managing stress claims

-  Common signs of workplace stress, anxiety and depression

-  Common factors leading to stress, anxiety and depression

-  The role of the manager in supporting employees

Bottom line benefits of a healthy workforce

-  Why employee health is a focus for organisations

-  How to effectively implement WorkHealth Checks and workplace health programs

-  What the research says on health and wellbeing programs ROI

Following the overwhelmingly positive feedback, it is likely this event will be an ongoing feature of the GOH&SN calendar.

For more information on the topics discussed please contact Jeremy Rae (Business Development Manager) on 03 9329 3898 / jeremyrae@nabenet.com.au.

Six Nabenet employees attended the 4th ARPA National Injury Management Conference held in Sydney on 16th – 18th May 2010.  Appropriately titled ‘Wisdom + Innovation’ the conference hosted an array of impressive speakers who challenged us to consider health, well being and return to work from various directions adopting a ‘whole brain approach’.  Work is the most effective means to improve well being of individuals, their families and communities.

Professor Mansel Aylward gave insight into how biopsychosocial factors such as belief play a major role in the presentation of illness, recovery and return to work and how cognitive and behavioural intervention methods can shift core false beliefs and increase the likelihood of return to work following injury.

David Butler, author of ‘Explain Pain’ spoke on how evidence based therapeutic education including the neuroscience behind pain facilities changes in chronic pain and disability in individuals.  Click here to read more about David Butler’s work.

WorkSafeVictoria presented on how our state is leading the way in terms of measurement of the impact of occupational rehabilitation involvement in the return to work and how working with occupational rehabilitation providers is resulting in sustainable return to work outcomes.

In summary, for most individuals, working improves general health and well being, reduces psychological stress and facilitates return to optimal functioning.

Brooke Ryan, Injury Management Consultant – Physiotherapist.

Please click here to view training dates for 2010.  2 day WorkSafe RTW Coordinator Training and 2 day Advanced RTW and Claims Management sessions available across Victoria.  Contact Teresa Coffey (03 9329 0656) for further information.

The Victorian Parliament has passed the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill 2009.  The Bill contains reforms to the Accident Compensation Act 1985 and associated legislation.  There will be some major changes taking effect as of 5 April 2010 and 1 July 2010 that will impact you as an employer.  For more information please click here.

Nabenet is able to help you implement these changes within your organisation with the following training sessions:

• Andrew Douglas, Director of Douglas LPT and Andrew Paice, Director of Nabenet will be holding a training day on Monday 3 May 2010 in Melbourne.  By attending this training day, you will be equipped with the necessary resources to better manage Workers’ Compensation.  For more information please click here or contact Jessica Rose (03 9329 3898).

• Nabenet also provide Advanced RTW and Claims Management sessions that incorporate the legislative changes and how to implement these practical changes within your organisation.  The next session is scheduled in Geelong on 6/7 May 2010 and a Melbourne session is scheduled on 27/28 May 2010.  For more information or to book your place please contact Teresa Coffey (03 9329 3898).

This year Nabenet entered 5 teams in the BRW Triathlon, which was held at Elwood Beach Sunday 28th February 2010.  As part of Nabenet’s health and wellbeing program, team members participated in group training sessions which were held before and after work in the lead up to the event.  The training sessions were a great way for employees to enjoy a social activity whilst increasing their fitness.  This is a great example of how a focus on health in an organisation can boost staff morale, fitness and wellness.  Employees have continued to train together and will participate in similar events in the future.

If you would like to implement a similar health and wellbeing program in your organisation please contact Katie Riches (03 9819 2377 or katieriches@nabenet.com.au) to discuss opportunities Nabenet can offer your business.

The Heads of Workers’ Compensation Authorities (Australia and New Zealand) have endorsed the introduction of a Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers from 1st July 2010.

This framework will establish practice principals designed to deliver high quality workplace rehabilitation services to workers, employers and insurers.

Benefits will be:

• increased uniformity of workplace rehabilitation service definitions and expectations of workplace rehabilitation providers.
• increased understanding of the expected standards of workplace rehabilitation provider performance for employers, workers and insurers.

For more information please click here.

Concerning data has been released by WorkHealth and published in the Herald Sun on Saturday 6 February 2010 in an article titled “Workplace check-up and survey program reveals…A health time bomb”.

The data collected from WorkHealth checks shows many Victorians are drinking too much, are overweight, have unhealthy diets and are at high risk of getting heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Nabenet Health is an Endorsed Service Provider for WorkHealth and has witnessed these alarming trends first hand as discussed in the article by Claire Nichol, Director Nabenet Health.  To view the article please click here.

If your organisation hasn’t had health checks and would like to participate in the WorkHealth initiative please contact Katie Riches (03 9819 2377 or katieriches@nabenet.com.au) for further information.