Two reports have been released by the Centre for Transformative Work Design detailing the preliminary findings of a landmark study into mental health and workplace culture across Western Australia’s mining sector.
Curtin University’s Centre for Transformative Work Design is undertaking the four-year study to gather and evaluate data on sexual assault, harassment, mental health, drug and alcohol use, and emerging mine safety issues.
Curtin’s first report, Towards a healthy and safe workforce in the mining industry, used public information to assess how Australian mining companies are ensuring the health and safety of their employees.
Curtin’s next report, which is due to be released in early 2023, will focus on data from Western Australia’s mining industry.
The landmark study forms part of the Western Australian Government’s Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety program, which was launched in December 2021.
Western Australian Mines and Petroleum Minister, Bill Johnston, said, “The McGowan Government will continue to work with industry and the community to eliminate inappropriate behaviours from Western Australian workplaces.
“I’m very pleased to receive the first reports from the landmark study into a range of mental health and mine safety issues, as it will guide our future health, safety and wellbeing programs to industry.
“The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program is an important part of our strategy to stamp out sexual violence and drive cultural change in Western Australia’s resources sector.
Western Australian Women’s Interests Minister, Simone McGurk, said that changing entrenched attitudes in the industry won’t be easy but must be done.
“When women are safe and supported at work, it’s better for business and better for the wider community.
“These findings will help guide the important work that needs to be done. Women working in this industry have put up with too much for too long, and it shouldn’t just be up to them to call out bad behaviour.
“We need more women to work in this sector and we need them to be treated with respect and we are committed to working with industry to make sure that happens.”
To view both reports, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/mars-preliminary-report-1-review-and-mapping-of-current-practice and https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/mars-preliminary-report-2a-review-and-synthesis-of-the-literature
