October 16, 2015
Employees at the Tarong Power stations and Meandu Mine are taking part in ‘ok’tober events as part of Stanwell’s focus on physical and mental health.
This is the second year the campaign, which focusses on being “fit for work”, has been organised.
Workers have been attending barbecues to discuss individual health, hear talks about depression, anxiety, alcohol and illicit drug use and good health practices.
Late last week about 190 people from both sites attended an ‘ok’tober breakfast.
Inspirational speaker Paul Spinks, a part-time paramedic and State trauma counsellor, spoke to 250 employees about a broad range of health issues.
“The health and safety of our people is our top priority at the Tarong Power stations,” Tarong site manager Dennis Franklin said.
“Being fit for work shows you care about yourself and your workmates.
“The use of alcohol and other drugs can seriously affect your ability to think straight, make good decisions and respond to things that happen, and this can occur even the day after drinking or taking drugs.
“In this state you are not fit for work, and you put yourself, your workmates and friends at risk.”
Meandu site manager Simon Ewart said no one at the mine wanted anyone coming to work if they were affected by drugs, alcohol or fatigue.
“In particular, other people do not want a person working near them or around them if they are not fit for duty,” Mr Ewart said.
“Our people’s families live in the South Burnett and they do not want their loved ones endangered by people who are not fit for duty.”
Both sites have a rigorous system of drug and alcohol testing in place to ensure that people are fit for work when they arrive.
