A SafeWork SA campaign has found that recent interstate reports into sexual harassment, discrimination and violence in the mining industry have matured the workplace culture at the state’s major mine sites.
The campaign ran between September 2022 and July 2024 and kicked off with an industry forum in which SafeWork SA presented to all the major mine operators in South Australia. It emphasised the need for WHS and HR disciplines to collaborate to manage the risks associated with inappropriate workplace behaviours.
During the campaign, 44 site visits were conducted to eight major South Australian mine sites to ensure the existence of safe environments and systems of work to manage the risks associated with inappropriate behaviours. 46 workers at the sites were interviewed, including mine workers and subcontractors.
The campaign also involved educating mine operators about their obligations, responsibilities and how to manage the risk of sexual harassment, discrimination and violence and other psychosocial risks, given the introduction of the psychosocial regulations coming into effect from December 2023.
A series of reports into sexual harassment, discrimination and violence in the Western Australian mining industry prompted the SafeWork SA campaign.
Major mining company Rio Tinto released its Report on Workplace Culture at Rio Tinto in February 2022. The report found that bullying was systemic within the company and sexual harassment occurred at unacceptable rates.
The Enough is Enough report tabled in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly in June 2022 found that sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry represented “a failure of the industry to protect its workers”.
Mining is a critical industry in South Australia, employing about 15,000 workers. It is also one of the most high-risk industries and has unique risk profiles, which is why a focus on this industry was a priority.
The proactive campaign found that employers at the eight South Australian mines audited were aware of the Rio Tinto report and had actively taken steps to improve work environments and systems, addressing concerns raised in the report. The audits found that systems had matured as part of a continual improvement process.
Workers interviewed reported a high level of support from their immediate managers and a strong understanding of reporting systems and mechanisms.
Awareness of the broader psychosocial safety issues such as burnout, poor role clarity and job security were found to be less understood across multiple interviews.
SafeWork SA Executive Director, Glenn Farrell, said, ‘We acknowledge the efforts made by the mining industry to improve safe work environments and systems of work to prevent risks associated with sexual harassment, discrimination and violence in the wake of the 2022 Rio Tinto report.
“Systems however are only as good as the commitment by leadership to ensure, in consultation with workers, they are appropriate, effective and reviewed as necessary.
“This is a complex issue which requires constant attention to embed a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace culture.
“Adverse behaviours such as bullying and sexual harassment are symptomatic of broader psychosocial safety problems – addressing these in a way that is contextual for the industry is likely to minimise the likelihood of such behaviours emerging.”
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