������������������������

�����������������������������

��� ����

�����������������������������������

ÉæJh

ôK ∂àë°U

Your Health is our Wea

lth

NEW

!

30Kg

Story written & illustrated by: Yasser Al-Hamad

Employees’

HANDLER

The 3000

ealth at work is a term that is gaining popularity

in modern times. In the past health at work was

mainly focused on physical health issues like nutrition,

obesity, addressing occupational illnesses and dieses.

More recently, other areas such as work-life-balance,

human psychology, and corporate governance have

changed the way health at work is viewed. It is common to

hear terms such as “work-related-stress” in seminars and

conference that address health and safety issues.

More recently in developed countries, workplace

health issues are being addressed through ‘wellness’

programs. It is just another approach that is aimed at

improving workers’ health and ensuring that they are

productive throughout their working carriers.

The ‘wellness’ program consist mainly of health

education; screening/checkups; and intervention designed

to change employee behavior towards a healthier lifestyle

that not only addresses work related risks but also all

other risks that may encounter the worker at home, play

or work.

The fundamental requirement to a sound ‘wellness’

program, is that it must focus on both physical and mental

risk that the worker may be exposed to. It must also address

all the conventional health issues that are encountered at

the workplace. Furthermore, a ‘wellness’ program must be

part of the organizational culture and not an alien activity

to it. For example, what does the employee do in terms

of allowing its workers’ to have access to gymnasium and

workout facilities? How frequently does the employer

conduct medical checkup on the employees? What

type of medical services does the employer provide its

employees?

HealthAt Work

H

Introduction

❤.... a ‘wellness’ program must be part of the organizational culture and not an alien activity to it.

4 5

HANDLER

The 3000

A ‘wellness’ program must also have equal shared

responsibility and accountability from both employees and

the employer. Both management and employees have an

equal responsibility in relation to psychological problems

which may develop into physical ones. The most common

example for such a situation is stress. Stress is a product

of demanding circumstances at work. With time, stress can

cause high blood pressure, heart problems, etc. Demanding

circumstances are not the single cause of stress. In modern

times, mental and emotional strain is sometimes caused

by the increasing rate of change and development of

technology. State of the art equipment today will become

primitive in a few years. This also means that the operators

of this equipment will need to update themselves more

frequently or they’ll become as outdated as the equipment

they run. Also, social demands, outside the workplace, may

impact individual as sever as demanding circumstances at

the workplace. As a result, a good ‘wellness’ program must

take all such issues into account to ensure that the workers’

lead a healthy lifestyle.

The Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) used

the theme ‘Your health …. Is our Wealth’ for this year

to assure you that we will continue to work towards a

‘wellness’ program that ensures a healthy lifestyle.

We hope that you not only benefit but enjoy reading this

book as well,

All the best!

In modern times, mental and emotional strain is sometimes caused by the increasing rate of change and development of technology.

‘Your health …. Is our Wealth’

6 7

HANDLER

The 3000

Putting further pressure on our staff is not the solution.

BADINDICATORS

Chapter 1

are not seen as common labours; they are seen as craftsmen

capable of handling problems and finding solutions.This place

is home to teamwork and sharing ideas. The organizational

hierarchy of the company divided the tasks at work but it

didn’t divide the people.

It is the management’s weekly meeting when one of

the members of the board announces his opinion, “They are

our employees, and they’ll do what we want them to do!

We cannot slow down now, we have deadlines.” Voices of

support and acknowledgement fill the room.

The CEO interrupts the crowd with his point of view,

“You are right my dear colleges, we should not waste any

more time and the correct actions must be taken.”

The crowd calms down and start eagerly listening to

what the leader has to say. “As far as I know there is an upset

of attitude and loss of confidence due the late accidents, but

so far the indicators show that performance of staff is starting

to decrease and might further decrease. Putting further

pressure on our staff is not the solution. I feel it will only cause

us further upset that might affect their performance. Then we

will start having more and more troubles.”

ow could this happen!” Cries out the CEO when

he hears the news of another accident. “We buy

modern, state of the art equipment to speed up work and

handle more packages, not to damage them!”

The CEO is all fired up and he is not to be blamed.

First, there is the competition, then, there is the working

force, the employees, the people he has to deal with

everyday. In the beginning, it was hard to convince them

to accept new technological means of doing the work. The

company went through many seminars, handouts, posters

and booklets. It was a big campaign. Now, with accidents

taking place, it will be even harder to make new ideas and

means acceptable.

However, this innovation is important to the

company’s survival; competition is driving others out of the

market. The organization can enforce this innovation. It has

all the right to do so. However, the management is wiser

and knows better. The healthy working atmosphere that

the company had maintained for many years is the true

reason why it survived times of hardship. Here, employees

H

8 9

HANDLER

The

HANDLER

The 3000

“Ignoring the problem will only help making it bigger.”

Tick the correct answer:

1. Why was the CEO upset?

a. The performance of the staff was bad

b. Indicators showed decreasing peformance

c. Difference of opinion with board members

2. The general attitude of the organisation was:

a. Every one comparted to specific tasks

b. Hierarchy of positions marks decisions at every step

c. Team work was readily observed

3. What the CEO finally decide?

a. He decided to ignore the problem

b. He decided to enforce new rules

c. He decided to exploit the problem

4. Staff of this organisation are:

a. Physical labors that go by instructions

b. Craftsmen that know the detail of their work

c. Non of the above

Chapter 1 Competition

“What are you suggesting? Should we just ignore

the problem?’” A member of the board that is restless for

answers starts putting up further questions.

“That is not at all a good idea.” The CEO goes into

a deep thought for a moment and then eureka! He is

enlightened. “I believe we should be doing the opposite!

Ignoring the problem will only help making it bigger. Instead,

we should find out what the source of trouble really is,

• was the training insufficient?

• Is it a general negative attitude, ‘why shift to new

equipment when older ones did the job?’

• Are they unhappy about modern machinery taking over

their work, their craftsmanship?

“Whatever the reason is, exploiting the problem will help

us resolve it.”

BADINDICATORS

10 11

HANDLER

The

HANDLER

The 3000

Name :

Badge NO :

The final date for submitting your answers 25/11/2006

BADINDICATORSChapter 1 Competition

Good luck with the competitionand don’t forget to submit itbefore the deadline

“Whatever the reason is, exploiting the problem will help us resolve it.”

12 13

HANDLER

The 3000

TheLABOUR UNION

Chapter 2

Adapt!

his weekend all company workers are getting

together at the their union headquarters. Though

not a scheduled meeting, it was a very important one.

Usually the weekend is a happy time to spend with their

families, but the recent events back at work is causing a

major worry.

All workers are concerned about their future with

the company. The older workers are even more anxious,

they’re not as capable as the younger fellows when it comes

to adjusting to new technologies. They’ve lived in an age

where automation was minimal and man’s control over

machine was supreme. That is the reason why they don’t

trust new technologies. “How can a man trust a machine

with too many buttons!” They’d always say.

The union leader gets to the stand, “Good evening

everyone, we are here today to discuss the recent changes

that you are all aware of. Everybody is getting anxious

about the new ‘handlers’. Sure they made our work

easier and reduced our physical and mental efforts, but

the accidents count is on the rise and the management is

getting concerned. As you all know, damaged packages give

our company a bad name. In fact, it gives us workers a bad

name...”

Suddenly one the elders in the audience gets off his

chair in objection to the leader. “We did very well before

those terrible automated machines arrived!” The turbulent

crowd agrees.

“Don’t misunderstand me, your quality of work and

ingenuity gave this company its prominence and that is

undoubted.” The leader was quick to calm the deafening

crowd. “However, change is a ‘given’ fact of life. Today’s new

innovations will run out of fashion tomorrow. We cannot

stop change but I am very sure that we can adapt.

“Adapt! Did you ever work on one of those handlers?

It is hard to know what the next button will do, and...”

“Believe me, I do understand the way you feel and I

respect your point of view. Now, after all those years of

T

14 15

HANDLER

The

HANDLER

The 3000

experience and after all your achievement comes a machine

that puts an end to it all. “

The leader’s aim is not to dishearten his co-workers.

His true target is to make the facts about the situation

clear to his co-workers and is struggling to bring to their

knowledge where they actually stand. There will always be

progress and for mankind to survive, they have to cope

with it. That is the spirit that he wants to promote.

“My dear co-workers, let us try to think in a

different way. Let us try to see the current situation as a

new challenge. This is not the first time that you’ve been

challenged and neither will it be the last. “

“And I am sure that this is just another stepping

stone in the path of your success. I am sure that the elders

amongst us know better. During my early days with the

company I heard stories from them that elevated my

spirit and made me a potent worker. Their spirit, and their

encouragement is what empowered my spirit and the spirit

of all the younger workers.”

“I’d say, let us give it a try! Let us prove to ourselves

as we always did that we can manage. New machines,

old machines, handlers or rockets, Winners will always be

winners!”

The crowd’s spirits is elevated once again as they

hail their leader and applaud him for a great speech that

filled them with enthusiasm.

TheLABOUR UNION

Chapter 2 Competition

Tick the correct answer:

1. The older workers were worried about the handlers

a. because of the difficulty to adapt to new technologies

b. because they had bad attitude towards technology

c. they think that older machines were more efficient.

2. The new ‘handler’ made the job

a. more tedious and wasted time

b. easier physically and mentally

c. unsafe and damaged packages

3. The workers have to adapt to new technologies

a. because the management wants them to do so

b. because no one can stop change and development

c. both ‘a’ and ‘b’ are correct

4. The Union Leader’s aim in his speech was to :

a. Dishearten his fellow workers

b. Encourage them to accept new challenges

c. Non of the above

16 17

HANDLER

The

HANDLER

The 3000

Name :

Badge NO :

The final date for submitting your answers 25/11/2006

TheLABOUR UNIONChapter 2 Competition

Good luck with the competitionand don’t forget to submit itbefore the deadline

“I’d say, let us give it a try!”

18 19

HANDLER

The 3000

“That is true!” Exclaims the CEO, “Most of the

workers involved in the recent accidents were our old and

sincere employees. At first, I was surprised that they were

involved in those accidents as I traced back their flawless

working records. But now it is all clear, they needed time to

adapt!”

What the CEO and Supervisor were observing

was practical class conducted by one of the smart young

workers, one of those digital age youngsters, teaching a

number of older workers how to manage the new machine

better. This was a beautiful scene that shows the character

of the sincere elders who were not afraid or ashamed to

learn from a young man half of their age. What is important

to them is the knowledge that enables them to do their

job better.

At a time when the management was searching for

the source of the problem, the workers had already started

solving it!

At a time when the management was searching for the source of the prob-lem, the workers had already started solving it!

TheWalk-around

Chapter 3

his morning, the CEO decided to take a round

along with the field supervisor at the working site.

It is the first day at work after the weekend.This is not a

routine walk around, he actually wants to get a feel of the

atmosphere at work. Like he earlier mentioned, he wants to

get to the source of the problem. He had already assigned

others to hunt for the problem, but he is too concerned

and feels that his personal involvement is necessary.

“Everyone seems to be active and lively today.”

“Sir, maybe it is the fresh start after the weekend.”

The thoughtful CEO is a little surprised.

“And what is that get together in the distance?”

“Actually Sir, the workers today started practical

learning sessions.”

“Why? Didn’t we train them

adequately?”

“Of course Sir! But what I’ve

personally observed is that the younger

workers adapted much faster to our

new ‘handlers’ than the elders.”

T

20 21

HANDLER

The

HANDLER

The 3000

The CEO was so pleased because of what he learned

that he enthusiastically advanced towards the group and

congratulated them on their effort. The workers were a

little surprised because they see what they do as their duty,

their job. But for the CEO it is that sort of attitude that is

the true treasure and backbone of the company.

As a step in the positive direction, the CEO decided

that these sessions the workers voluntarily conducted

amongst themselves should be encouraged by:

• officially providing more time for these sessions

• pay special allowance to the tutors

• certifying those sessions as specialized courses

The workers started out trying to help themselves.

However, they ended up setting a standard.

THE END

THE N

EW B

EGIN

NIN

G

TheWalk-around

Chapter 3 Competition

Tick the correct answer:

1. The CEO was keen to find out why the worker conducted

sessions because:

a. The company had already conducted adequate training

b. He feared the spread of negative attitude via sessions

c. Both of the above

2. The CEO was surprised when he saw the accident reports

a. Accident reports were becoming more frequent

b. Workers involved had flawless records

c. Both of the above

3. What the CEO finally decide?

a. To support the training sessions

b. To stop them because they’re a waste of time

c. To improve the existing training program

4. Staff of this organisation:

a. are always dependent on management instructions

b. are sincere and will do their best to improve themselves

c. have negative attitude towards progress22 23

HANDLER

The

HANDLER

The 3000

TheWalk-aroundChapter 3 Competition

Good luck with the competitionand don’t forget to submit itbefore the deadline

“The workers started out trying to help themselves. However, they ended up setting a standard.” Name :

Badge NO :

The final date for submitting your answers 25/11/2006

24 25

Tips

Wellness

@Home

he CEO decided to push things further in the right

direction. Now that everyone is in a positive mood

why not further enhance everybody’s performance by

adapting a healthy lifestyle. He holds a meeting with his

team and brainstorm how they can help employees have

a healthy lifestyle? The team comes up with these great

tips!

Maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active can

prevent health problems and promote a healthy lifestyle.

When making changes, it’s important that your whole

family be involved in eating regular healthy meals and an

active lifestyle. Here are some tips:

Shopping for Food

4 Make a shopping list and stick to it: This will keep you

from buying foods you did not intend to buy.

4 Shop when you are not hungry: High calorie foods

will not be as tempting.

4 Shop the outside aisles of the store first: Most stores

are set up with produce, breads, meat, and dairy on

the outside aisles. Most convenience foods are on the

inside aisles. These foods tend to be higher in sugar

and fat, and contain less fiber, vitamins and minerals.

4 Try whole grain breads and cereals: Most bread, pasta,

rice, and cereals are low in fat.

4 Croissants, muffins, granola, and biscuits have more

fat. Look for whole grains in the ingredient list (wheat,

oats, barley).

4 Try low fat or nonfat dairy products to get enough

protein, calcium and Vitamin D, without all the extra

fat and calories. Instead of whole milk, regular yogurt,

hard & processed cheeses, choose skim milk, low or

nonfat dairy products, frozen yogurt.

4 Plan enough time to read labels: Check portion

sizes, calories, fat, and sources of fat. The nutrition

information on the label is for one serving. Look at

how many servings are in the package.

4 Involve the whole family in meal planning. Allow

children to choose some fruits and vegetables to

Start a “wellness” program at your home

Chapter 4

T

26 27

Tips

Wellness

@Home

have at home. This may increase their acceptance of a

wider variety of foods.

4 Choose a variety of foods to have available for meals

and snacks in your home. You are in charge of what

foods come into your home.

Nutrition

4 All foods work. All foods can fit into a healthy lifestyle

program. It is just important to know which foods

your body needs more of and which foods your body

needs less of.

4 Choose a variety of foods using the Food Guide

Pyramid: This will give your child the vitamins and

minerals needed for growth and development.

Dairy 2-3 servings

Fruits & Vegetables 5 servings

Meat & Protein 2-3 servings

Breads & Cereals 6-11 servings

Sugar & Fat Only a small amount

Choose meals: 1 item from 3-4 of the food groups

Choose snacks: 1 item from 2-3 of the food groups

4 Encourage regular meals and snacks. Offer 3 meals

with 2-3 snacks during the day. Meals and snacks

should be offered about every 3 hours.

4 Use low fat cooking methods, such as baking or broiling

and using nonstick pots and pans. Try a vegetable

cooking spray.

4 Serve low calorie foods first: Offer a salad or soup at

the beginning of the meal.

4 Try these nutrient rich foods for snacks:

4 Carrot sticks with small

4 Cereal with milk amount of dressing

4 Fresh fruit

4 Celery sticks with peanut

4 ½ sandwiches

4 Butter and raisins

4 Low fat crackers and cheese

4 Limit calorie containing beverages such as juice, pop,

and lemonade.

Maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active can pre-vent health problems and promote a healthy lifestyle.

28 29

Tips

Wellness

@Home

Eating Out at Restaurants

4 Ask what is in a dish, and how it is made before your child

orders. Restaurant cooking can be a major source of fat.

4 Be aware and read the menus: items that say buttered, in

cream sauce, fried, pan fried, crispy, or marinated in oil are

high in fat.

4 Order sauces and dressings on the side: That way your

child can dip the food to control the amount of high calorie

sauces or dressings on the food.

Eating Out at “Fast Food” Places

4 Choose plain burgers or grilled meat sandwiches. Skip the

cheese, special sauces or mayonnaise-based dressings. Use

mustard, ketchup or barbeque sauce instead.

4 Order a small or regular order rather than jumbo, super or

deluxe sizes.

4 Choose regular bread, buns or small muffins, instead of

croissants or large muffins.

4 Choose thin-crust pizza with extra vegetable toppings

instead of thick crust and extra cheese, sausage or

pepperoni.

4 Grilled chicken or garden salads have less fat and calories

than Chef or Taco salads. Choose a light or fat-free salad

dressing. Ask that it be on the side so the amount used can

be controlled.

4 Choose a soft serve ice cream instead of a candy topped

shake or malt.

Physical Activity

Activity is an important part of living well and any healthy lifestyle

program. It increases self-esteem and a sense of well-being. It also

improves coordination, develops muscle strength and flexibility,

protects against heart disease, relieves stress, and makes for

better sleep patterns. To encourage activity:

4 Find an activity the whole family enjoys: It may be a brisk

walk or a game of soccer in the park.

4 Be creative: Use common household items to be active.

4 Make use of GPIC Club: Many activities for all ages are

available free for you to indulge in.

4 Make a list of indoor activities that you and your child can

30 31

Tips

Wellness do instead of watching television, playing video

games or using the computer. Try turning on

music and dancing.

4 Warm-up: 3-5 minutes to lower the chance of

being hurt.

4 Aerobic: 10-20 minutes-choose an activity that

will make the heart rate go up.

4 Cool-down: 5 minutes to bring the heart rate

back down to normal slowly.

4 Assign household chores to increase activity:

vacuuming, dusting, washing dishes or sweeping

the floor are all activities that will help you and

your family be healthier.

4 Encourage children to participate in outdoor

chores: raking leaves, picking up sticks or

gardening.

Source for the above: http://

www.seattlechildrens.org/child_health_safety/pdf/flyers

4Physical activity increases self-esteem and the sense of well-being.

32