The Western Australian (WA) Government has launched two programs in order to create safer workplaces and to drive cultural change within the State’s resources sector.
The first campaign, titled SPEAK UP, REPORT IT, will reinforce the message that harassment and bullying in the resources sector is unacceptable.
It will also serve as a reminder to senior executives, mine operators and workers of their responsibility to report workplace sexual harassment and other inappropriate behaviours towards women to WorkSafe WA.
Under WorkSafe WA’s 24/7 hotline, callers can remain anonymous and discuss any workplace harassment or bullying they have witnessed or been subject to.
The second campaign, the Respect in Mining program, aims to increase awareness and knowledge of the impact of gender inequality on women’s safety and the impact of gendered division in leadership within the resources sector.
Gold Fields Australia will participate in a 12-month pilot of the program across its WA operations. It is scheduled to begin in early 2024.
Both campaigns were created by the WA Government in response to recommendations from the Parliamentary Inquiry into the fly-in, fly-out mining industry.
Recently, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA also published its strategy to tackle sexual harassment against women in the mining industry.
“The SPEAK UP, REPORT IT campaign highlights the (WA) Government’s ongoing commitment to promote workplace cultures that support inclusivity, respect and safety,” Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston said.
Gold Fields Australia executive vice president Stuart Mathews said the company is committed to making changes that deliver safe, inclusive, and respectful workplaces for all its people.
“Partnering with the (WA) Government to pilot the Respect in Mining program will continue to build on the Respectful Workplaces program we have developed and started rolling out with the Gold Fields workforce, our business partners and the broader industry,” Mathews said.