Sex talks to raise Australian miner productivity
Thu Oct 25, 2007 6:59am BST
By Michael Perry
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian coal miners are being taught
to explore their wives and understand menopause in order to
have a healthy sex life, which in turn will make them happy,
productive workers.
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 told Reuters on Thursday.
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 believe 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 its
important to address sex for an individual that is going
through menopause," said Rickards.