DMP has developed a new audit and guide to help identify and manage psychosocial risks in WA's resources industry.
| Date: | Tuesday, 15 March 2016 |
|---|
A new audit and accompanying guide developed by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) will help to identify and manage psychosocial risks in Western Australia's resources industry.
DMP Resources Safety Executive Director Simon Ridge said while the department acknowledged the complexity of psychosocial harms, it was important to address the risks within an overall safety and health management system.
"Creating a resilient safety culture in Western Australia's resources industry is one of the major focusses of the department's safety reforms, which began in 2009," Mr Ridge said.
"Risks to psychological and physical health due to work should be viewed the same as other workplace risks.
"Prevention of work-related stressors should be included in a company’s health and safety policies, procedures, and standards."
The department has previously provided information about gendered behaviours, bullying, fatigue and other contributing factors that can lead to psychosocial harms.
DMP Director Mines Safety and State Mining Engineer Andrew Chaplyn said inspectors had been specially trained to identify psychosocial risks as a part of their role.
"This training helps inspectors to assess current industry systems and identify areas of improvement," Mr Chaplyn said.
"Like all our audit tools, this new audit is available for companies to conduct self-audits and assess compliance. The guide provides information on what to look for."
