A raft of new PhD scholarships are being funded with the aim of boosting research into better mental health outcomes for Australian miners.
The scholarships have been awarded by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) through the WA Government’s Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program.
Research activities include:
- exploring how psychological capital can be leveraged to improve psychological safety in the Western Australian Mining Industry context by Ronald James at Edith Cowan University
- assessing a range of occupational hygiene dust sampling devices to determine their suitability for risk-based exposure measurements in Australian mining operations by Benjamin Walsh at Edith Cowan University
- examining the significant impacts of psychosocial risk factors on workforce sustainability and workers’ behaviours in the mining industry by Nousheen Fatima at Edith Cowan University
- research into understanding how leaders construct and deliver effective safety stories and capture the impact on safety outcomes by Patrick Benetti at the University of Western Australia.
WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael said the scholarships are key to positioning the state as a global leader in mental health in the mining sector.
“This research will help drive innovative solutions and support sustainable workforce practices,” Michael said.
“The WA Government is proud to invest in the next generation of researchers whose work will directly contribute to improving safety outcomes and fostering healthier, more inclusive workplace cultures across the mining industry.
“By supporting minerals research through initiatives like the MARS Program, we are reinforcing the importance of workplace health and safety in Western Australia’s mining sector.”
WA Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk said the scholarships are an example of the state’s commitment to continuous improvement.
“The mining industry has come a long way in recent years when it comes to addressing issues around the health and well-being of workers, but there is more to be done,” McGurk said.
“These scholarships will be important to advance mental health initiatives and to shape strategies that put the well-being of workers first.”
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