Promoting health in workplaces

 

The Renfrew County & District Health Unit works with workplace personnel and local trade and business associations to improve awareness, skills, and work environments. These initiatives are aimed at:

·          reducing the risk of chronic diseases,

·          preventing alcohol and other substance abuse, and

·          supporting healthy pregnancies and breastfeeding.

 

The Health Unit offers consultation and assistance with policy development and health promotion programs. Resources are available on the following topics:

· Healthy Eating and Healthy Weights

· Immunizations

· Breastfeeding in the Workplace

· Physical Activity

· Healthy Pregnancy 

· Tobacco-free Living

· Stress Management

· Injury and Substance Abuse Prevention

 

           

Workplace health activities in 2006 included:

 

Health for All Workplaces Newsletter - Four editions were produced and distributed to over 100 workplaces in Renfrew County and District. The newsletters are also available on our website: http://rcdhu.com/health-info/workplace%20health/workplacehealth.htm

 

Stress Management Train the Trainer Workshop – Health Unit staff organized and led a one-day workshop for managers and occupational health and safety staff from local workplaces. Twenty-seven participants acquired information, resources and strategies to enable them to provide stress management education for employees. Each workplace represented at the workshop received a training manual developed by Health Unit staff.

 

Protecting Workers from Tobacco Smoke in Homes Workshop – A one-day workshop was organized and hosted by the Health Unit. A facilitator from the Program Training and Consultation Centre explored the issue of workers’ exposure to second-hand smoke during home visits, and shared strategies for reducing harm from second-hand smoke. Thirty-eight people from local workplaces and the Health Unit attended the workshop.

 

Workplace Alcohol and Drug Use Policy Workshop – A one-day workshop was organized and hosted by the Health Unit. A facilitator from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health explored the impact of substance use problems in the workplace, the development of social occasion event policies for worksites, and alcohol policies for company-sponsored events. Thirty-three people from local workplaces attended.

 

Smoke-Free Ontario Act Information Sessions – This three-hour information session was developed by staff from the Health Promotion and Environmental Health Divisions at the Health Unit. The sessions provided information and resources to enable workplaces to comply with the new legislation. The sessions were advertised through local newspapers, the Health for All Workplaces newsletter and on the Health Unit website. Sessions were held in Arnprior, Barry’s Bay, Deep River, Eganville, Pembroke and Renfrew during the month of May 2006, just before the legislation came into effect. Over sixty people attended.

 

Quit Smoking Information Sessions – One-hour information sessions were held in Arnprior, Barry’s Bay, Deep River, Eganville, Pembroke and Renfrew in November. The session provided smokers, and friends and family members of smokers, with strategies and resources for quitting smoking. We advertised the sessions through newspapers, and by distributing posters in the community and in workplaces. Over twenty-five people attended.

 

Presentations and Workplace Events – Health Unit staff participated in several events at workplaces during the year. These included presentations and health fairs. Over 400 employees were reached through these activities.