Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety in the mining industry
The Landmark Study
Do you want to have your say on the Western Australian mining industry?
Our independent research team from the Centre for Transformative Work Design at Curtin University invites you to share your views, experiences and perceptions about working in the WA mining industry.
Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) has approved this study (HREC number HRE2022-0502).
About this research
The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program is a WA Government initiative that aims to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of workers and others in the mining industry. The Landmark Study is one of the many initiatives under the MARS Program.
The Landmark Study was commissioned by the Western Australian Government to design and implement a research and evaluation project focused on the mining industry, regarding three focus areas:
Creating mentally healthy workplaces
By managing psychosocial hazards and promoting positive practices at work that support mental health and wellbeing
Building a culture of safety and respect
With safe, gender-equitable, respectful and inclusive workplaces
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Preparing for workplace safety in the future mine
Addressing emerging risks and fostering innovation in safety by design, automation and artificial intelligence.
Our approach
The Landmark Study will be completed over a four year period, including:
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A mapping and scoping exercise of initiatives currently undertaken by the Australian mining industry, and initiatives that are applicable to the mining industry
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A literature review to summarise the existing research
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A workplace policy and practices survey to understand the initiatives related to mental health, respect, and safety that WA mining companies currently undertake
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One-on-one, confidential listening sessions with workers and contractors
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An employee survey of workers and contractors to better understand perceptions of mental health, respect and safety
To get involved in the Landmark Study
For organisations:
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Attend an information session - register your interest here.
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Complete the workplace policy and practices survey – personnel from Human Resources, Organisational Development, Occupational Health and Safety, or any individual at the senior management level who is aware of workplace policies and practices are invited to complete the survey (Survey is now closed, thank you for participating. Results from the survey will be available shortly.)
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Encourage employees and contractors to complete the confidential employee survey
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Encourage employees and contractors to participate in the confidential listening sessions with workers and contractors
For employees:
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Complete the confidential employee survey
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Participate in the confidential listening sessions with workers and contractor
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To stay updated on the MARS Landmark Study, please register your interest here.
Our advisory groups
Industry Expert Panel
We have invited representatives from peak bodies, unions, government and public health to join the MARS Industry Expert Panel. The Industry Expert Panel includes representatives from organisations, associations and bodies who are committed to contributing to meaningful change in the mining industry.
A key aim of the Industry Expert Panel is to maximise the impact of the MARS Landmark Study by ensuring that the research is guided not only by scientific evidence, but also that findings and recommendations are contextualised for the current Australian mining context and resonates with practices in the mental health sector.
The industry expert members of this panel will advise the project team on the unique challenges and issues of the mining industry, to provide feedback at each stage of the project, to connect the project team to organisations in the mining industry, to contextualise findings, and assist with disseminating findings and recommendations.
Academic Panel
We have a team of senior academics who are subject matter experts who are established and well-respected in their fields.
Members of this panel include senior academics from Curtin University (School of Population Health), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre and the University of Western Australia (School of Psychological Science).
The academic members of this panel will provide technical oversight of the methodology, contribute to selection of reliable and valid survey measures and provide advise on data analysis approaches, and review key reports.
Publications
Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety in the mining industry –
The Landmark Study: A review and synthesis of the literature
This report provides a literature review which
provides an overview and synthesis of the current literature concerning the three focus
areas:
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Creating mentally healthy workplaces
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Building a culture of safety and respect
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Preparing for workplace safety in the future mine
Towards a healthy and safe workforce in the mining industry: A review and mapping of current practice
This report provides an assessment of employee well-being in the mining sector and develops an innovative approach to construct measures of employers’ prioritisation of three dimensions of well-being: mental health and well-being, physical health and safety, and workplace culture that protects against sexual harassment.
Impact of FIFO work arrangements on the mental health and wellbeing of FIFO workers
Report produced for the WA Mental Health Commission (September 2018)
Our research report on the impact of FIFO work arrangements on the mental health of FIFO workers
