A WEST AUSTRALIAN
FIFO inquiry has
heard that the mental wellbeing of all
resource workers, including FIFO employees,
is a top priority for resource employers.
In its submission to the Western
Australia Legislative Assembly – Education
and Health Standing Committee – Inquiry
into mental health impacts of FIFO work
arrangements, AMMA says resource
employers remain acutely aware of the
unique challenges associated with FIFO
and proactively implement a range of
initiatives to protect the mental wellbeing
of their workforce.
“One suicide in the resource sector or
broader community is one too many,”
says AMMA chief executive Steve Knott.
“Resource employers are committed to
FIFO MENTAL HEALTH
a priority, inquiry told
promoting awareness and embedding fit-for-
purpose, risk-based policies and procedures
to protect the safety of their workforces.”
AMMA’s submission also points to
objective data indicating mental illness
and self-harm appears to be no more
prevalent in the mining workforce than
other industries.
“While we note from the experiences
of employers and employees that there
is no causal link between FIFO work
practices and mental illness or self-harm,
this is an area where we need to remain
forever vigilant and continue to improve
awareness, communication and support
for FIFO workers,” Knott says.
The Inquiry is examining mental health
risks linked to the FIFO lifestyle following
a number of deaths of employees
working under FIFO work arrangements
in a 12-month period.
Knott says a range of unique factors to
FIFO work must be acknowledged and
managed by employers as part of their
‘whole-of-business’ mental health and
workplace safety policies and initiatives.
“AMMA members support employees
through initiatives that include free
counselling services, mental health
seminars and wellbeing coordinators,”
he says.
AMMA is partnering with Beyondblue
on a resource industry workplace
mental health awareness campaign with
workshops delivered on site this year and
throughout 2015.
RP
RESOURCE
PEOPLE
SUMMER 2014-15
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POLICY
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