Coles Group will roll out the tailored Health in Gear program to its inbound drivers at Coles Distribution Centres. The program is developed and delivered by leading suicide prevention organisation the OzHelp Foundation (OzHelp).
Health in Gear will cover 10 DCs nationally and focus on the health and wellbeing of primary freight truck drivers by delivering health checks and wellbeing support.
Coles Supply Chain head of transport safety & sustainability David Clark said transport workers face many challenges while on the road.
“It’s important they are supported to improve their health and wellbeing. Programs such as OzHelp’s health checks allow Coles to promote immediate support for transport operators regardless of their business size, ensuring drivers delivering into Coles’ distribution centres have direct access to health and wellbeing initiatives, including mental health support,” Clark said.
OzHelp CEO Darren Black said the partnership was a “step in the right direction” in providing much needed support to workers, particularly in light of current challenges being faced by the transport and logistics industry.
Nationally, truck drivers represent the second highest occupational group, after construction workers, at risk of suicide, Black said.
“It is incredibly important that workplaces consider the health and wellbeing of their workforce when creating a safe and positive environment, and we are proud to be partnering with Coles to do so for primary freight truck drivers,” he said.
OzHelp’s Health in Gear program was co-designed in consultation with truck drivers and the industry. It came after OzHelp did a literature review that found the sedentary nature of the occupation combined with instances of poor diet and a lack of exercise puts drivers at a higher risk of obesity and developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, mental-ill health, and cardiovascular health issues.
Clark said, “Now more than ever it’s vital that we check in with our supply chain partners, and this is just one way that Coles will be supporting our Supply Chain community in 2022.”
OzHelp’s pilot Health in Gear program was partially funded by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative supported by the federal government, with contributions from OzHelp and industry partners.
For more information about Health in Gear click here.
To access 24/7 support, transport and logistics workers and their families can call 1800 IN GEAR (1800 464 327).
If you need someone to talk to, call:
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890
QLife on 1800 184 527
