Rail Industry Client
CASE STUDY PERIOD: 2024– 2025 | APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 700 LINE HAUL DRIVERS
Client context: The workforce at Pacific National reaches across Australia including into regional areas. The employee group is faced with the challenge of working away from home and having to manage their meals and exercise around the regional locations they might be staying in.
Focus areas: Health and wellbeing support | Employee engagement | Continuing the ‘Safely Every Day’ journey | Reducing factors which lead to absenteeism
The Challenges
The Intermodal train drivers are particularly impacted with these challenges which are compounded by the physical demands and shift working requirements of the role. These health risk factors not only impact employee wellbeing but also pose potential risks to safety and productivity.
In alignment with their Enterprise Voluntary undertaking (EVU) commitments to the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR), Pacific National required a comprehensive, scalable solution to address these health challenges which was consistent with their ‘Safely Every Day’ journey. ‘Safely Every Day’ is about bringing safety into every moment, every interaction, every day. It recognises that the safety journey has evolved and includes both mind and body, and looking out for each other.
Continuing to build on their strong safety and wellbeing culture, ‘Safety Every Day’, was crucial for Pacific National. Ongoing employee health education and management was important, given the need for employees to maintain the medical fitness necessary for their roles.
Health and wellbeing in the logistics and transport industry
According to the most recent data1 from Safe Work Australia, the transport, postal and warehousing industry had the fourth highest rate of work-related injuries and illnesses, tied with construction. In 2020-21, there were 8.8 serious claims per million hours worked in this sector, higher than the all-industry rate of 6.5 claims. It also had the fourth highest percentage of serious claims made across Australia (7%) and the fourth highest incidence rate per 1000 employees (15.8).
While the rate of claims has dropped since the year 2000, median time lost has increased (by 112%) as has the median compensation paid (by 239%).
A survey of Australian and NZ train drivers published in Scientific Reports in 20222 found that schedule irregularity had the “largest and most consistent negative effects” on various wellbeing measures.
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/australian-workers-compensation-statistics-2020-2021
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-07627-0#Sec9
The Solution
Objective: Enhance workforce wellbeing.
Aim: Address the significant health challenges faced by train drivers, including high rates of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and smoking, while also mitigating the physical strain associated with the job. This involved providing health and wellbeing support to improve employee overall health and wellbeing, for the benefit of both individuals and the business.
Solution: In collaboration with Pacific National, Healthy Business has implemented a rolling, phased approach to deliver tailored health checks, coaching and educational seminars to improve employee health literacy and wellbeing. The program has been continuously refined through ongoing collaboration with Pacific National’s leadership, ensuring the right balance of services to engage and support a diverse and often hard-to-reach workforce, including those working in remote locations and on shifts.
Health coaching educates and empowers individuals to take control of their own health and wellbeing and provides them with tools to do so. Health coaching is an evidence-informed process that involves conversation, asking questions and using goal setting to guide individuals towards making sustainable behavioural changes.
Health coaching – Our HealthCi coaching solution has played a pivotal role in this initiative, offering personalised support to employees on areas critical to reducing the health risks prevalent among train drivers.
Health checks – Our qualified team of health coaches conduct biometric testing on site. This includes blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and health risk screening associated with our HealthCi coaching program.
Monthly seminars – These have further complemented reducing health risks by providing employees with essential knowledge and practical tools for improving their overall wellbeing.
The Outcomes
On review of the program at 18 months into the 3-year commitment, KPMs are exceeded or on track. The program KPMs include engagement, cardiovascular biometric health and overall health risk. The program has been well received with employees expressing a 98.2% satisfaction rate in the program.
Next steps
As we approach the second year of this three-year initiative, we remain focused on continuous improvement and adapting the program to meet the evolving needs of Pacific National’s workforce. While we have seen significant improvements in cardiovascular health and general health risk overall, poor habits in exercise, alcohol and nutrition remain evident. With Pacific National’s continued support and feedback, we aim to further strengthen the program to encourage the greatest impact on employee health outcomes and organisational objectives.
“Building and maintaining a fit and healthy workforce is critical not just for employees but for excellent safety and productivity outcomes as well.”
Head of Safety, Health and Wellbeing, Pacific National