It is estimated that untreated mental health conditions cost Australian workplaces approximately $10.9 billion per year, comprising of $4.7 billion in absenteeism, $6.1 billion in presenteeism and $145 million in compensation claims.

Business owners and organisational leaders play a critical role in driving practices that promote mental health in the workplace.

The workplace has been identified as a relevant and appropriate setting to promote and support health and mental health of Australians. While creating a mentally healthy workplace is everyone’s responsibility, mental health is a leadership issue, and change must start at the top.

AccessEAP and beyondblue will be speaking at a series of free seminars at Safety in Action (6-8 September, Sydney Showground), expanding on how to create mentally and physically healthy workplaces and why workplace wellness is good for a business’s bottom line.

They will be joined by safety experts who will share new research, discuss regulatory compliance issues and expand on technological innovations.

“Mentally healthy workplaces are as important to Australian employees as physically safe workplaces, however workplaces are not meeting their expectations. Three quarters (75%) of Australian employees expect mental health support in the workplace environment, but many may not be aware of, or are unable to access appropriate resources,” said Nick Arvanitis at beyondblue.

Safety in Action is Australia’s most trusted safety exhibition and will feature over 18 seminars, 100+ exhibitors and attract 4,000+ attendees. Australia’s largest cleaning and hygiene show CleanScene will be co-located at the event. Presented by the National Cleaning Suppliers Association (NCSA), it will feature exhibitors catering for cleaners, commercial, industrial and facility managers, government agencies and purchasing officers.

Also co-located at Safety in Action will be the Safety Institute of Australia’s National Convention, a 2 day conference featuring global and Australian safety leaders who will address the theme of “Disruptive Safety”.

The convention program will include presentations from Bernard Salt and challenge leaders to change their thinking about safety.

Attendance at Safety in Action Sydney and CleanScene is free and open to any business with a safety and hygiene interest. People can register their interest in attending the events online here: Safety in Action and CleanScene.
Seminar sessions include:

1. A definitive guide to beyondblue’s ‘Heads Up’ Initiative – Nick Arvanitis, Head of Workplace Research & Resources, beyondblue
2. Learn how to manage and improve work safety with software tools – Adrian Manessis, Business Development Manager, Myosh
3. Panel topic to be confirmed – David Solomon, Executive Officer, Safety, Master Builders Association of NSW, Siobhan Flores-Walsh, Partner, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Fiona Curdie-Evans, Managing Director, Mend Services and Alexis Wray, Psychosocial Inspector, SafeWork NSW
4. Get Healthy At Work – speakers to confirmed
5. An academic investigation into workplace cyberbullying – Dr Felicity Lawrence, Consultant, Queensland University of Technology
6. How companies are using IVMS to improve driver safety in Australia, and are they doing it right? – Stewart O’Brien, Training Manager – Middle East and Australiasia, MiX Telematics
7. High-performance thinking strategies to achieve a zero harm, positive safety culture – Alistair Schuback, Safety Culture Specialist, Aframes Safety
8. Innovation Hour – Dr Nicole Stenlake, Executive Director and Elizabeth Bennett, Workplace Support Co-ordinator, Canberra Institute of Technology, James Mills, National Business Development Manager, OzHelp Foundation
9. Workplace Wellness: It’s good for business – Sally Kirkright, Chief Executive Officer, AccessEAP
10. Issues and trends in health and safety case law – Katherine Morris & Melissa Carnell, Partner & Solicitor, Gadens
11. Moments of transformation – creating indelible change – Ellen Downs, Vice President, DEKRA Insight
12. GHS and your safety systems – David Clingin, Account Manager, Chemical Safety International
13. Safety lockout and tagout; gaining efficiencies through procedures – Chris Johnson, Regional Manager, Mayo Hardware

Australia’s professional body for health and safety professionals Safety Institute of Australia and major Corporate Sponsor myosh Safety Management Software will be joined by exhibitors including major sponsor Myosh, show bag sponsor ATOM, technology partner PAN Software, Mix Telematics, Chemical Safety International, Royal Life Saving, Safety Institute of Australia, and SAI Global.

Workplace mental and physical health under the spotlight  by Sam Murden.  Available from <http://www.ferret.com.au/articles/news/workplace-mental-and-physical-health-under-the-spotlight-n2525823#AIeyg9OsHbpWOoq4.99>. [August 02, 2016]