❓ Question addresses the mental health of FIFO workers, seeking government action to implement recommendations from a Mental Health Commission report and reduce reliance on FIFO work. The answer outlines the development of a code of practice and existing safety regulations.
AnsweredQoN 1328Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MENTAL HEALTH —
FLY IN, FLY OUT WORKERS
1328. Hon JACQUI BOYDELL to the minister representing the
Minister for Commerce and Industrial Relations:
I believe this question has been
redirected to the Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister
for Commerce and Industrial Relations. I refer to the report released by the
Mental Health Commission ''Impact of FIFO work arrangements on the
mental health and wellbeing of FIFO workers'' and the subsequent
statement by the government supporting the recommendations of the report.
(1) How does the
government intend to work with companies who support a fly in, fly out
workforce to implement the recommendations outlined in the report?
(2) Will the
government commit to adopting a policy that minimises the mental health risk of
FIFO workers by limiting FIFO camps to areas more than 60 kilometres from
existing regional towns?
(3) If no to (2),
why not?
(4) How does the
government plan to reduce WA's reliance on a FIFO workforce and deliver
improved mental health benefits for workers in Western Australia?
FLY IN, FLY OUT WORKERS
1328. Hon JACQUI BOYDELL to the minister representing the
Minister for Commerce and Industrial Relations:
I believe this question has been
redirected to the Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister
for Commerce and Industrial Relations. I refer to the report released by the
Mental Health Commission ''Impact of FIFO work arrangements on the
mental health and wellbeing of FIFO workers'' and the subsequent
statement by the government supporting the recommendations of the report.
(1) How does the
government intend to work with companies who support a fly in, fly out
workforce to implement the recommendations outlined in the report?
(2) Will the
government commit to adopting a policy that minimises the mental health risk of
FIFO workers by limiting FIFO camps to areas more than 60 kilometres from
existing regional towns?
(3) If no to (2),
why not?
(4) How does the
government plan to reduce WA's reliance on a FIFO workforce and deliver
improved mental health benefits for workers in Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
(1)–(4) The
latest research information relating to the mental health of FIFO workers and
their families was incorporated into the
draft code of practice, entitled ''Mentally healthy workplaces for
fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers in the resources and construction sectors''.
The code will be published in 2019 along with online guidance, tools and other
resources to support its integration into safe systems of work intended to
improve mental health outcomes for employees.
The role of the Department of
Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety is to regulate safety in accordance with
the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Mines Safety and Inspection Act,
which legislate that, as far as is practicable, employees not be exposed to
hazards at work. All new mining operations are required to submit a project
management plan to the department, which includes identification of all major
risks relevant to the operation and a summary of the strategies to manage those
risks.
Western Australia has a significant
FIFO workforce servicing the resources sector due to the remote nature of many
of Western Australia's resources operations. FIFO work can have a significant
impact in the complex area of mental health and wellbeing. As such, it is
important to find suitable controls to manage these risks, regardless of work
arrangements in use.
(1)–(4) The
latest research information relating to the mental health of FIFO workers and
their families was incorporated into the
draft code of practice, entitled ''Mentally healthy workplaces for
fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers in the resources and construction sectors''.
The code will be published in 2019 along with online guidance, tools and other
resources to support its integration into safe systems of work intended to
improve mental health outcomes for employees.
The role of the Department of
Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety is to regulate safety in accordance with
the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Mines Safety and Inspection Act,
which legislate that, as far as is practicable, employees not be exposed to
hazards at work. All new mining operations are required to submit a project
management plan to the department, which includes identification of all major
risks relevant to the operation and a summary of the strategies to manage those
risks.
Western Australia has a significant
FIFO workforce servicing the resources sector due to the remote nature of many
of Western Australia's resources operations. FIFO work can have a significant
impact in the complex area of mental health and wellbeing. As such, it is
important to find suitable controls to manage these risks, regardless of work
arrangements in use.
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