Victorian workers heading to the Rip View Swim Classic and the Lorne Pier to Pub next week will have the chance to learn about their risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease with a free WorkHealth check.

The WorkHealth checks will take place at the Rip View Swim Classic at Point Lonsdale on 2 January and at the Pier to Pub event on 6-7 January.

WorkHealth checks, which are available to all Victorian workers as part of WorkSafe Victoria’s WorkHealth program, are completely free and take just 15 minutes.

“We’ve found that 66% of workers who have had a WorkHealth check across Victoria have a medium to high risk for type 2 diabetes and/or heart disease, which is something many of them wouldn’t have known about before,” said Rachel Gualano, WorkHealth Director.

“So we’re heading to these events because we think it’s important that as many workers as possible have the chance to get their health checked.”

WorkHealth checks are performed by trained health professionals and involve a lifestyle survey and a series of measurements, including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and waistline. Results and advice on leading a healthy lifestyle are provided on the spot.

For those workers found to be at risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, help is on hand with the new WorkHealth Coach telephone support service, which is also free and confidential.

More than 430,000 workers have had a WorkHealth check so far across Victoria, and more than 25,000 workplaces have signed up to the program.

“However if you miss out on these events, you needn’t miss out on WorkHealth checks. Just sign up at workhealth.vic.gov.au and we’ll come to your workplace and give your whole team the chance to get checked,” said Ms Gualano.

Visit workhealth.vic.gov.au for information on WorkHealth checks, grants and other resources and advice on good health in the workplace.