❓ The government outlines its approach to addressing the mental health impact of FIFO workers through existing WHS laws and funding for DMIRS, while deferring the question on local communities to the Minister for Regional Development.
AnsweredQoN 586Legislative Council
Asked
15 March 2022
Member
Portfolio
Mines and Petroleum; Energy; Corrective Services; Industrial Relations
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How is the Government addressing the mental health impact of FIFO on workers and their families? (2) How is the Government ensuring that local host communities are not negatively impacted by FIFO work arrangements?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 May 2022
Responded by
Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Energy; Corrective Services; Industrial Relations
Response time
9 days
(1) FIFO employers have a clear duty of care under the WHS laws to protect their employees from psychological harm.
In December 2020, the McGowan Government’s Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act) passed the WA Parliament and received assent. Following publication in the Government Gazette of the accompanying regulations on 11 March 2022, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws commenced on 31 March 2022.
The main object of the WHS Act is to secure the health and safety of workers and workplaces. This includes by protecting workers and other persons against harm to their health, safety and welfare through the elimination or minimisation of risks arising from work (s. 3(1)(a)).
Under the new WHS laws, the primary duty of care for a person conducting a business or undertaking (employer) is to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers (s. 19(1) WHS Act). Health in the WHS Act means physical and psychological health (s. 4).
To put the Government’s intention beyond doubt, the Note at the end of s. 19 again confirms that “Health means physical and psychological health”.
The McGowan Government provides the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) with resources to undertake a comprehensive suite of regulatory and enforcement activities to protect the psychological health of workers and others at the workplace. In addition Government has initiated the Mentally Healthy Workplaces Grant Program and Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) program
To support the commencement of the WHS laws, the Government has also provided additional funding to DMIRS. This funding is for additional inspectors, including those with psychosocial expertise.
(2) Please refer your question to the Minister for Regional Development.
In December 2020, the McGowan Government’s Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act) passed the WA Parliament and received assent. Following publication in the Government Gazette of the accompanying regulations on 11 March 2022, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws commenced on 31 March 2022.
The main object of the WHS Act is to secure the health and safety of workers and workplaces. This includes by protecting workers and other persons against harm to their health, safety and welfare through the elimination or minimisation of risks arising from work (s. 3(1)(a)).
Under the new WHS laws, the primary duty of care for a person conducting a business or undertaking (employer) is to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers (s. 19(1) WHS Act). Health in the WHS Act means physical and psychological health (s. 4).
To put the Government’s intention beyond doubt, the Note at the end of s. 19 again confirms that “Health means physical and psychological health”.
The McGowan Government provides the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) with resources to undertake a comprehensive suite of regulatory and enforcement activities to protect the psychological health of workers and others at the workplace. In addition Government has initiated the Mentally Healthy Workplaces Grant Program and Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) program
To support the commencement of the WHS laws, the Government has also provided additional funding to DMIRS. This funding is for additional inspectors, including those with psychosocial expertise.
(2) Please refer your question to the Minister for Regional Development.
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