The ‘Toolbox Talks’ at the Bulga coal mine in the Hunter Valley, north of Sydney, have been such a success that the Xstrata mining company is considering running them at other mines.
’The Toolbox Talks’ are a series of health briefings addressing issues such as fatigue, prostate cancer, nutrition, heart disease and this month we are addressing the issue of menopause," said Xstrata spokesman James Rickards.
"Even though it is a predominately male working environment we have to look at the lifestyles of our employees, making sure they are fit and healthy at work, but also fit, healthy and happy at home," Rickards said.
Helping miners understand menopause
Bulga's miners are aged mainly from late 40s to 50s and menopause may be affecting their wives, sisters and friends, said Rickards.
"The health briefings provide them with information on how to help and assist their loved ones who may be going through this or approaching this period of their life," he said.
Mine management believes a miner with a good relationship and healthy sex life will be more productive at the coal face.
"If you have a healthy home life you will have a happy work life and sex is an important part of any relationship, and it's important to address sex for an individual that is going through menopause," said Rickards. – (Michael Perry, Reuters)
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