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Health benefits of safe work

Work is good for health and wellbeing.

What are the health benefits of safe work?

There is compelling evidence that participating in work is good for health and wellbeing.

Research by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) shows that work is not only good for health and wellbeing, but that long-term absence from work has a negative impact on physical and mental health.

Practically applying your understanding of the health benefits of safe work can further support an injured worker to stay at or return to work as soon as it is safe to do so.

The evidence also supports the value of returning to, or staying at, work as part of a person's rehabilitation and not just as the end point of rehabilitation.

Talking about the health benefits of safe work - A guide for GP's

Work absence perpetuates

Work absence tends to perpetuate itself: that is, the longer someone is off work, the less likely they become ever to return. If the person is off work for:

  • 20 days, the chance of ever getting back to work is 70%
  • 45 days, the chance of ever getting back to work is 50%
  • 70 days, the chance of ever getting back to work is 35%.

Assist your patient to return to work early

By assisting your patient to safely stay at work or return to work early, you can reduce the social and financial impact on their life and wellbeing and increase the likelihood of a timely recovery.

Health and wellbeing in the workplace

Supporting the health and wellbeing of your workers by offering relevant activities in areas like physical activity, healthy eating and quitting smoking, can contribute towards a happier, healthier business.

Resources

Certificate of capacity for health providers  

Certificate of capacity - barcoded  

Certificate of capacity - no barcode  

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)  

Events and webinars.