Transport giant lauded for injury reduction initiatives
Logistics outfit Qube has been recognised for its workplace best practice initiatives that have led to improved safety outcomes for its staff.
Insurer icare NSW’s icare Aware Awards program recognises businesses which “embed a culture that supports strong safety behaviours”.
It identified Qube for “its focus on the safety, health and wellbeing of its 7000 employees”, having implemented procedures that have reduced workplace injuries by over 40 per cent over the past five years.
In particular it was lauded for its QubeCare program, which comprises initiatives aimed at improving and maintaining the physical and mental wellbeing of workers across its 130 sites nationally and internationally.
Read about Qube’s play for port haulage firm Chalmers, here
Qube’s initiatives over the past five years have reduced its lost time injury rate by 65 per cent and, where an incident has occurred, staff are returning to work faster with the average days off work dropping by over 17 per cent since 2016.
It has also seen a substantial drop in workers compensation claims across some of its high-risk sites, with the total number of claims dropping by more than 40 per cent over the past two years.
“Qube’s story is a great example of how creating a culture of wellness, coupled with good safety practices, can help prevent accidents and injuries at work,” icare injury prevention manager Jennifer Cameron says.
Qube group manager health and wellbeing Joe Toohey adds: “Like many employers, the combination of an ageing workforce and deterioration in community health and lifestyle standards can pose a significant risk to workplace health and safety.”
“Put simply people are working longer than ever before because they need to. This calls for a cultural change to highlight the importance of work and the positive impact it has on someone’s health and lifestyle.
“Key to the success of these initiatives is the fact they are owned by our people and backed by our senior managers, who get involved and lead by example.”