Navigating the challenges of Occupational Health in the Passenger Transport Industry

Clark Hopley, Key Account Director at KINNECT, celebrates KINNECT’s endorsement as a member of the Bus Industry Confederation and the opportunities to transform health outcomes of workers in the Passenger Transport Industry. 

Passenger Transport is what keeps Australia moving. It is a vital sector for our country, getting us to work, school and home again safely each day.  

The Bus Industry Confederation, the body that represents the bus and coach industry, carries more than a staggering 1.5 billion urban public transport passengers per year. The body campaigns for investments in public transport initiatives that benefit our health, our society, and the environment. 

The industry itself employs more than 50,000 people and continues to grow. But while the road transport industry accounts for 2% of the Australian workforce, the latest data from WorkSafe Australia shows that it accounts for 4% of workers’ compensation claims for injuries and diseases involving one or more weeks off work, and 17% of work-related fatalities. 

So, what can be done? 

In our 24 years, KINNECT has worked with many organisations within the sector and currently partners with Sky Bus, Keolis Downer, SurfSide Bus Lines, and more recently, Greyhound Australia. 

“One of the key trends is a shift towards early intervention when injuries happen. For instance, if a worker is injured on the job, accessing the right care, advice and support can make a material difference in the return to work of the worker.  An example is our InjuryKINNECT hotline, our 24/7 triage service which provides timely support.  Used at scale, early intervention means better return to work outcomes for the sector’s workers, less lost-time injury rates, and lower workers compensation claims.” 

But further transformation is needed and that is what excites us about working with BIC members. While half our time we spend with clients on workplace rehabilitation and helping people to recover from injuries, the other half is spent preventing injuries and promoting health.  

So, what could this look like for the Passenger Transport Industry? 

Passenger safety is the foundation on which the passenger transport industry is built. One of the biggest risks that may impact on passenger safety is Bus Drivers’ health status. 

Recent and continued growth in the industry means that more can and should be done with candidates to ensure they are healthy and fit for work, prior to commencement. Commercial Drivers being completed ensuring a Bus Drivers legislative compliance, whilst the performance of pre-employment functional and medical assessments, ensuring that health concerns are identified, and managed proactively, prior to those concerns becoming a problem. 

Other services providing value to the transport industry we’re currently performing include: 

• Injury & Return to Work Services 
• Drug & Alcohol testing 
• Vehicle Ergonomic Assessments 
• Psychological Support 
• Functional Capacity Evaluations 
• Flu Vaccinations 

It takes a real understanding of a business and the industry to develop a sustainable and effective solution. We delighted that the BIC has seen us as a strategic partner and look forward to helping them to navigate the health challenges for this important industry.  

Interested in finding out how KINNECT can help solve challenges for your business or industry? Contact our team today on 1300 546 632.