Almost 20 teams teams from UNE are taking part in the ‘10,000 Steps’ exercise program to mark the university’s involvement in Safe Work Australia Week.

The program encourages people to count the steps they take during the day as part of a team effort

Using pedometers donated by the university and MBF, the teams from UNE will be able to convert their real walking into virtual progress along a 2597km itinerary through Europe, requiring a total of approximately 3,000,000 steps.

Participants will chart their progress on a virtual walk from Italy to Denmark, visiting universities affiliated with UNE along the way.

Former Vice-Chancellor Alan Pettigrew launched the program on Monday, telling participants they would be ‘amazed how quickly these steps will go’.

Bronwyn Pearson, deputy director of Human Resources Services at UNE, said the university was committed to the health and wellbeing of its staff.

“Participation in 10,000 Steps is the latest in a suite of strategies, comprising UNE’s Work Health Program, that support this commitment,” she said.

“We encourage everyone to join a team and have some fun while clocking up the kilometres.”

UNE’s occupational health and safety officer, Daphne McCurdy, said activities such as 10,000 Steps contribute to improving the safety culture in workplaces.

“Safety culture is more than just a matter of ensuring compliance - it’s about providing an inclusive environment that has strategies in place to ensure the work health and wellbeing of all staff,” she said.