AUSTRALASIA FOCUS
SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH Ports Australia has joined a movement aiming to promote the mental health and wellbeing of transport and logistics workers, says Dave MacIntyre
8 Port workers are under greater stress in the pandemic shipping environment
This is in recognition of the extra stresses that the Covid-19 pandemic has placed on port workers. The Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds Foundation is a registered not-for-profit charitable organisation which exists to promote prevention and understanding of mental health issues that exist across the logistics industries in Australia. Its overarching aim to build a psychologically-safe, healthy and thriving working environment for these workers. Mental wellbeing The HHTS website offers a range of tools, information, resources and training material that has been tailored to the needs of workers. Part of this initiative has been the creation of Australia’s first unified National Mental Health and Wellbeing Roadmap, which provides a plan for improving mental wellbeing for workers. The HHTS Learning Hub also provides a wealth of information relating to worker wellbeing with links to resources to assist across multiple areas. HHTS has collaborated with Lifeline Australia to offer an evidence- and practice-informed mental health awareness course with industry-specific components that defines and explains current concepts and thinking around staying mentally healthy, and factors that support wellness. Mental health of staff was a significant issue for the Australian logistics and ports industries before Covid-19, but the pandemic has challenged the sector to prioritise it given the unpredictability of working conditions and the potentially increased isolation workers face. Risk factors such as long hours, pressure to meet delivery schedules and the need for continual alertness while operating heavy machinery all contribute to making those in the sector extremely vulnerable to mental health stress. Healthy Heads’ research shows that between 2008 and 2014, truck drivers had the highest number of suicides of any profession. This is reflected in other logistics industries, where the impact of mental health and poor individual wellbeing has significant impact not only at the individual level for those
affected, but also company and economy-wide, with billions of dollars lost due to lowered productivity and associated medical costs. In the ports industry, many new initiatives have emerged in the way staff interact with each other, some introducing new workplace social media platforms, and some holding virtual luncheons where food is sent to workers’ remote locations. Ports Australia, which represents port authorities and corporations, both publicly and privately owned, has strongly recommended that workers use the resources provided by Healthy Heads. Safeguarding welfare A Ports Australia spokesperson said the organisation recognises that working in the ports industry and other supply chain roles carries a great deal of responsibility because of the essential service workers are providing around the clock “That responsibility mixed with working conditions which often require long hours of isolation and pressure to meet deadlines means port workers are vulnerable to mental health issues. “The Covid-19 pandemic has had further impacts on how workers go about their jobs, sometimes heightening the challenges mentioned previously and calling for workers to make greater sacrifices in their lives. “Ports have had to be vigilant in monitoring the welfare of their staff, many implementing innovative ways of uniting a physically-distanced workforce. “Enhancing staff mental health support services, introducing virtual platforms for connecting the workforce, and giving care in various ways to seafarers visiting ports are just some examples of the ways ports have ensured the wellbeing of supply chain workers is prioritised during challenging times.” 8 The Healthy Heads eLearning course can be accessed at https://www.healthyheads.org.au/training_education/ lifeline-online-course/
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