A Western Australian parliamentary inquiry into sexual harassment against women in the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) mining industry aims to implement positive changes in the state’s resources sector.
The mining sector takes great pride in its safety record.
While accidents can and do happen, as a general rule the number of incidents has decreased significantly over the past two decades.
Mining companies often release updated injury frequency rates as part of their yearly reports with most highlighting significant improvements in workplace injuries and incidents.
However, recent media reports have shone a spotlight on one critical area of workplace safety that appears to have increased – sexual harassment and assaults, particularly in the FIFO sector.
Last year due to the allegations of these media reports, chair of the WA Parliamentary Community Development and Justice Standing Committee Libby Mettam, who is also the State Liberal Party deputy leader and Member for Vasse, called for a parliamentary inquiry into sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry.
“These reports were obviously very distressing, and I felt that there was a good opportunity to invest parliamentary resources in undertaking an inquiry into this challenging issue,” Mettam says.
“One of the values of parliamentary committees is that you can look into some of the more challenging policy areas and make recommendations to government.
“I also appreciate that there is a finite period where you are a member of parliament, so I am very much focussed that the time I spend in parliament is as relevant and as productive as possible.”
Mettam says while she understands that the WA mining sector is particularly unique, and underpins the Western Australian economy, she feels it was important to address the issues as a way to highlight the safety of the workforce.
“My electorate of Vasse is one of the largest FIFO bases in the state,” she says.
“I felt I had a responsibility to these constituents, and to those working in the industry, to highlight these important issues and use the parliamentary resources available to
hopefully make some recommendations that can lead to positive change in the industry.”
The inquiry was called in July with submissions from the industry, as well as anonymous submissions from victims, due by mid-August.
The committee consisted of Western Australian Legislative Assembly members Divina D’Anna, Mark Folkard, Kim Giddens and Jodie Hanns, with Mettam as the chair.
According to the inquiry’s terms of reference, the committee was urged to consider:
Is there a clear understanding of the prevalence, nature, outcomes and reporting of sexual harassment in FIFO workplaces?
Do existing workplace characteristics and practices – including but not limited to workplace cultures, rosters, drug and alcohol policies and recruitment practices – adequately protect against sexual harassment?
Are current legislation, regulations, policies and practices adequate for FIFO workplaces in Western Australia?
What actions are being taken by industry and government to improve the situation and are there any examples of good practice?
Mettam says the inquiry received a positive response from industry.
“I also received strong support from my colleagues on the committee as well,” she says.
“I was buoyed by the fact the mining industry were very supportive of this inquiry and had contacted me to illustrate as much.”
Major mining companies including Fortescue Metals Group, BHP and Rio Tinto made public submissions, while the Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia (CMEWA), the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) and the Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) were among the industry organisations to also make public submissions.
CMEWA chief executive Paul Everingham says the sector wants to be open and transparent in its desire to improve safety for women at operations around WA.
“As I’ve said previously, any instances of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment are totally unacceptable” Everingham says.
“We apologise to anyone who has experienced this type of behaviour in our sector. To all of those who have come forward to report it, we thank you for your bravery, and to those who previously haven’t felt safe or supported enough to come forward, please know that we are committed to providing an environment in which you feel safe to do so.
“Our aim is for all women to feel safe on all of our sites and facilities across WA at all times.”
Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott says his company welcomed the opportunity to participate in the inquiry and recognises the importance of shining a light on the issue of sexual harassment in the industry.
“The safety of our people is our top priority,” he says.
“In February, we established the Everyday Respect Taskforce to improve how we prevent and respond to disrespectful behaviours in the workplace including sexual harassment.
“A critical function of the Taskforce is asking our people to share their own experiences and contribute to the solution.
“We strongly believe that with the right focus from industry and a clear and consistent legislative and regulatory framework, all forms of disrespectful behaviour in the workplace, including sexual harassment, can be eliminated. We are committed to playing our part.”
Mettam says since the inquiry was called, there have been a number of different policies that the mining industry has implemented.
“This has involved taking different approaches or including sexual harassment in Occupational Health and Safety policies at some mines as opposed to the concern that this problem was being dealt with as a human resources issue,” she says.
In October, Rio Tinto, BHP and Fortescue agreed to partner and fund learning programs as part of a continued commitment towards mining sector workplaces that are free from sexual harassment, bullying and racism.
Through this partnership, the three companies will fund and contribute to the design, build and implementation of new social awareness education packages for deployment through a range of education providers such as TAFE, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), universities and high schools.
Mettam says there has also been changes implemented around alcohol policies, including a maximum drink limit at some sites.
“We have seen some sites spend significantly on safety measures like CCTV and security upgrades which has happened just in recent months,” she says.
“I certainly think that one of the gains of the inquiry already has been shining a spotlight on these issues.”
“I genuinely believe that this inquiry can be successful if we are able to take the major stakeholders in the industry along with us.”
With recommendations from the inquiry to be tabled in April, Mettam believes there is an opportunity for positive change in the industry.
“I do feel comfortable with the way the inquiry has gone,” Mettam says.
“However, in saying that I have taken aback by some of the confidential stories or experiences that have been submitted. There will be quite a lot of work over the next few months in putting that report together, but I am confident we will be able to make positive and significant changes within the mining industry.”
This article also appears in the January edition of Safe To Work.