Be Safe, Live Well, Thrive: Hunter Water’s Safety, Health and Wellbeing Strategy 

As part of its commitment to prioritising the health and safety of workers, and preventing work-related injuries and ill-health caused by physical and psychosocial hazards, Hunter Water developed its Safety, Health and Wellbeing Strategy for 2022-2024 focusing on 4 pillars:  

1. Interdependent Safety Culture  
2. Fit for Work and Fit for Life  
3. Enabling Performance   
4. Critical Incident Prevention.  

The strategy aims to support a collaborative, inclusive work environment that encourages participation, partnering, consultation and innovation.   

Safety, Health and Wellbeing Manager, Megan Brewster, said the organisation’s goal was to develop a strategy that acknowledges the intrinsic links between physical safety and mental wellbeing.  

Recognising the need for better mental health and wellbeing literacy and consistent language about physical and psychological health, Hunter Water provided training to help team leaders have conversations and offer support.  

The organisation also developed the Be Safe, Live Well, Thrive campaign, which looks at programs available to workers and how the organisation measures mental health and wellbeing. Using the framework, the organisation identifies risk factors (physical and psychological), then develops a clear message for workers about initiatives in place to address that risk. For example, a risk factor could be exercise, the message is to increase participation, and the available initiatives are an allied health subsidy program, Fitness Passport, lunchtime fitness sessions and Move for Life—the 60 second investment.   

Hunter Water partnered with Danielle Jacobs (Psychologist, Co-Founder of The Wellbeing Lab and Co-Creator of the PERMAH Wellbeing Survey) to implement the PERMAH Wellbeing Survey as part of the Safety, Health and Wellbeing Strategy for 2022-2024.  

Introducing the PERMAH wellbeing survey and support tool and associated coaching has helped workers at Hunter Water be more vulnerable and open about their mental health and wellbeing.  

To ensure a consistent and practical approach, Hunter Water understood it needed a simple campaign with clear messaging that would apply to all departments and align with the organisation’s core values. Be Safe, Live Well, Thrive uses a common language and understanding of workplace physical and psychological hazards that apply to the varied environments their staff work in (i.e. office staff, outdoor workforce etc.).   

Each division's risk review revealed different psychological risk profiles. Implementing a campaign that focused on both physical and psychological safety allowed Hunter Water to tailor mental health and wellbeing programs to each division.   

Hunter Water credits the campaign with increased mental health and wellbeing literacy among staff and increasing capacity and capability among team leaders. Feedback has been positive, and team leaders seem more engaged and comfortable to address mental health and wellbeing needs.  

PERMAH results also reveal workers have greater trust in line management and feel safer in raising concerns or asking for help.  

Hunter Water also has lessons for other organisations looking to implement a campaign that engages their workforce:  

“Keep it simple, align it with your business … and align your corporate values to it.” Megan Brewster, Safety, Health and Wellbeing Manager