❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) and the mining/petroleum industry's actions to minimise FIFO workers' exposure to suicide and depression, including budget allocation, reporting, and discussions on the issue. The DMP response outlines existing strategies and support services.
AnsweredQoN 1440Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the deaths by suicide of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers in Western Australia, and I ask: (a) what positive processes and actions does the Department of Mines and Petroleum undertake to minimise worker exposure to suicide or depression; (b) if none to (a), why not; (c) what positive process or actions does the mining/petroleum industry take to minimise worker exposure to suicide or depression; (d) if none to (c), why not; (e) how much is budgeted by the Department of Mines and Petroleum to mitigate worker exposure to suicide or depression; (f) if none to (e), why not; (g) does the mining/petroleum industry report on how much it expends in minimising worker exposure to suicide or depression; (h) if no to (g), why not; (i) does the mining/petroleum industry expend any funds in minimising worker exposure to suicide or depression; (j) if yes to (i), how much; (k) if no to (i), why not; (l) has the Department of Mines and Petroleum had any discussions with the mining/petroleum industry, or its representative, over FIFO suicides; and (m) if yes to (l), who with, when did this commence and on how many occasions did it occur?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 September 2014
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
34 days
The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) advises:
Every suicide is a tragedy, including suicides on mine sites.
We know the factors that affect mental health in any workplace are complex and wide ranging.
Resource companies employing fly-in, fly-out workers are expected to have strategies to address mental health issues in their workforce, including access to employee assistance services.
DMP is also implementing a number of strategies around mental and emotional wellbeing. These include workshops and publications dealing with:
-
mental wellbeing
-
bullying, aggression and violence in the workplace
-
addressing toughness in mining (gender and safety)
-
preventing and managing fatigue
-
improving communication and consultation.
The Department also sponsors Mining Family Matters, an organisation that
provides practical advice to Australian families in mining, oil and gas. It publishes
Mining Families Rock
, a self-help book featuring support and advice to families overcoming the challenges of fly‑in/fly-out, drive-in/drive-out and living in isolated mining communities. There is also access to online information and advice from a psychologist.
Every suicide is a tragedy, including suicides on mine sites.
We know the factors that affect mental health in any workplace are complex and wide ranging.
Resource companies employing fly-in, fly-out workers are expected to have strategies to address mental health issues in their workforce, including access to employee assistance services.
DMP is also implementing a number of strategies around mental and emotional wellbeing. These include workshops and publications dealing with:
-
mental wellbeing
-
bullying, aggression and violence in the workplace
-
addressing toughness in mining (gender and safety)
-
preventing and managing fatigue
-
improving communication and consultation.
The Department also sponsors Mining Family Matters, an organisation that
provides practical advice to Australian families in mining, oil and gas. It publishes
Mining Families Rock
, a self-help book featuring support and advice to families overcoming the challenges of fly‑in/fly-out, drive-in/drive-out and living in isolated mining communities. There is also access to online information and advice from a psychologist.
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