Page 85 - Minesite 2011

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The workshop was organised to obtain industry input regarding
priority safety initiatives for the regulator, recommendations from
which were considered by the mines inspectorate when developing
its 2011-12 operational plan.
Workshop participants included representatives from
small to large companies and industry associations, safety and
health representatives, executive officers, and senior mine
inspectorate staff.
After several short presentations to set the scene so participants
could better understand the safety regulator’s role, the majority
of time was spent in structured discussions with a professional
facilitator. The workshop focused on what is going well, what
needs attention and how things can be done better.
Using the information from the industry workshop and input
from the mines inspectorate teams, a 25-point operational plan
has been prepared for mines safety regulation over the next
financial year.
ADDRESSING MINING SAFETY AND HEALTH
CULTURE ISSUES
As State Mining Engineer Simon Ridge said in his regular
MineSafe
magazine column, “Simon says”, one of the key messages from
the industry workshop was the need to develop a resilient safety
culture from boardroom to front line, regulator to industry,
employer to employer — and recognise the champions.
This confirms the government’s safety reform vision of a
proactive safety regulator working with industry to create an
environment in which “resilient” safety cultures are the norm,
with companies, workers and the wider community confident that
industry is operating as safely as possible.
Resources Safety is committed to supporting industry as
it makes the necessary cultural changes, and has established a
focus group to specifically address mining safety and health
culture issues.
Many factors influence workplace culture, but the group is
targeting five main areas where the regulator can facilitate positive
outcomes. The five main areas are gendered behaviours; bullying;
mental wellbeing; fatigue; and consultation and communication.
Safety and health representatives are also critical to the
development of a resilient safety culture, and their particular
needs are being addressed by another focus group.
Resources Safety will raise awareness of the issues across
industry by publicising leading practice in
MineSafe
; sourcing
and developing practical guidance material and self-assessment
(i.e. audit) tools; and providing opportunities to gain practical
knowledge and share experiences through its annual roadshows.
Traditionally, mining occupational health and safety has
centred on engineering and safety management systems, and the
“people” part of the safety equation has been somewhat neglected.
This is now being redressed and Resources Safety, through the
focus group, is doing its part. Three areas are presently receiving
attention, as described below.
Firstly, in 2010, Dr Dean Laplonge ran workshops for Resources
Safety’s roadshow series, exploring toughness in the workplace. In
2011, resources were developed so workplaces can explore gender
issues in mining, their effect on workplace culture and safety, and
decide how their workplaces might deal with the issues.
Secondly, another project aims to improve the process for
handling bullying complaints; ensure operators understand the
EMPLOYEES’ INSPECTOR OF MINES JOCK WATSON (RIGHT)
DISCUSSES SAFETY ISSUES WITH SHANE MACDONALD,
A SAFETY AND HEALTH REPRESENTATIVE FOR MINCOR
RESOURCES AT CARNILYA HILL UNDERGROUND MINE
obligation to deal with bullying allegations in the workplace; and
ensure complainants are aware of what is involved in lodging a
complaint and proving a bullying allegation.
Mental wellness is the third area of focus and has traditionally
received little attention in the mining industry. However, as
in the wider Australian community, mental health issues can
significantly affect safety performance and productivity, both
directly and indirectly.
The Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
ran workshops for Resources Safety’s 2011 roadshow series,
discussing the importance of integrating mental health into
occupational health and safety policies and practices, including
induction and training programs.
The RADARS strategy encompasses a vast range of activities
that aim to enhance the performance of Resources Safety as a
regulator, and to help improve safety in all its forms in Western
Australia’s mining industry.
It is a challenging and exciting time, and I look forward to
building on the great work of the past few years to achieve our
collective safety vision.
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