The Western Australian Government has launched three Codes of Practice covering a wide range of inappropriate workplace behaviours, including in the mining and resources sector.
Since 2014, Western Australia has operated under a Code of Practice on Violence, Aggression and Bullying. The three modernised codes ensure that more inappropriate workplace behaviours are adequately considered.
The codes were created by the WA Commission for Occupational Safety and Health, which includes the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA, Unions WA and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA.
These codes provide guidance to deal with difficult and challenging issues where workers are the subject of inappropriate workplace behaviours.
The three guidelines include the Code of Practice on Workplace Behaviour, the Code of Practice on Psychosocial Hazards in the Workplace and the Code of Practice on Violence and Aggression at Work.
The new codes follow the WA Government’s $1.9 million Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety program, which was launched to address workplace sexual harassment and assault in the mining industry.
Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston said the WA Government regards mental and physical health in workplaces as a major priority and is committed towards improving safety protocols for WA workers.
“Inappropriate behaviours are unacceptable in any workplace, and these codes provide practical risk management guidance that can be tailored to the unique demands of each workplace,” he said.
“Managing psychosocial hazards is the responsibility of employers, but it can be extremely challenging and a proactive and comprehensive approach is needed, hence these very specific codes.”
Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA chief executive officer Paul Everingham said his organisation and its member companies welcome the release of these three psychosocial codes.
“Ensuring our people are safe at work – both physically and psychologically – is always the number-one priority for the WA mining and resources sector, and a number of national reviews have highlighted the need for further guidance across all industries from WHS regulators around psychosocial risks and hazards in the workplace,” he said.
“We have made it clear that any instance of sexual harassment or assault, bullying and discrimination is absolutely unacceptable. CME members will now use the codes to review the systems and processes they currently have in place, and make sure they are taking a holistic, coordinated and risk-based approach to such issues.”
Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief executive officer Chris Rodwell said the new codes provide WA businesses with more certainty about the steps they can take to provide a safe workplace.
“Businesses have continued to become more active and alert to the management of adverse mental health, and the codes provide practical guidance for businesses to follow on a number of issues” he said.