THE Western Australian Government has provided a sensible response to a parliamentary inquiry into the mental health impacts of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) working arrangements, acknowledging that greater evidence is needed to support workplace initiatives.
Last week the government supported 14, noted 15 and partially supported one of the 30 recommendations handed down by the Education and Health Standing Committee in June this year.
Among the recommendations supported is the establishment of a searchable database for recording and monitoring trends in reportable deaths in Western Australia. The government will also request the Mental Health Commission identify gaps in existing research into the mental health impacts of FIFO for potential broader study.
While there may unfortunately be compliance burdens borne as a result of some recommendations, the government did show it had listened to industry concerns by not supporting the establishment of a code of practice for FIFO mental health.
If adopted, the proposed code of practice would have included numerous requirements such as encouraging even time rosters, an explicit acknowledgement of the impact of fatigue on mental health, and the minimising of ‘motelling’ accommodation practices.
The government will instead look at strengthening existing codes of practice and conducting further research.
“Mental health is a community-wide concern and any information highlighting factors influencing the incidence of mental health issues among vulnerable sections of the community is welcomed,” Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Bill Marmion said.
“Many of the aims and objectives of the recommendations can be achieved by reviewing and strengthening existing codes of practices.
“Planning is underway on a Work Health and Safety (Resources) Bill which will provide an opportunity to address other recommendations in the report.”
AREEA executive director – policy and public affairs, Scott Barklamb, publicly welcomed the ‘sensible and constructive’ manner in which the state government responded to the inquiry.
“The government has rightly recognised that mental health challenges exist across all industries and communities, and that a higher level of understanding is needed to address this complex issue at the societal level,” Mr Barklamb said.
“The development of a system to record and monitor deaths by suicide across different occupational groups is also a practical first step towards building this evidence base.
“The government’s approach is set to make a real difference to mental health outcomes and to meeting an important challenge to the resource industry and all who work in it.”
Mr Barklamb explained that the resource industry invested in best-practice programs and services to support employee mental wellbeing in an ongoing commitment to the health and safety of its workforce.
“Well prior to the inquiry, AREEA initiated a resource industry mental health working group, providing a forum for resource executives to openly discuss mental health challenges and exchange leading organisational practices and initiatives,” he said.
“Mindful that the highest risk group for suicide – men between the ages of 15 and 44 – comprise a large proportion of the FIFO workforce, resource employers have been on the front foot in partnering with key mental health initiatives such as beyondblue and R U OK? to both build awareness and offer real support in the workplace.”
Click here to read the WA Government’s response to all 30 recommendations.
AREEA will continue to work with the WA government on these issues and will keep members informed on how they transition into practice and legislation.
For more information on AREEA’s advocacy in this area, please contact senior industry policy adviser, Tristan Menalda on (03) 8373 4846 or [email protected].
