A SafeWork SA campaign has found that workplace culture at the state’s major mine sites has matured in the wake of a series of interstate reports into sexual harassment, discrimination and violence in the Australian mining industry.
The campaign ran between September 2022 and July 2024 and kicked off with an industry forum in which SafeWork SA presented to all the major mine operators in South Australia, drawing on the need for WHS and HR disciplines to come together to manage the risks associated with inappropriate behaviours at the workplace.
During the campaign, 44 site visits were conducted to eight major South Australian mine sites to ensure the existence of safe environments and systems of work to manage the risks associated with inappropriate behaviours. Interviews were conducted with 46 workers at the sites including mine workers and subcontractors.
The campaign also included educating mine operators about their obligations, responsibilities and how to manage the risk of sexual harassment, discrimination and violence and other psychosocial risks, given the introduction of the psychosocial regulations coming into effect from December 2023.
The SafeWork SA campaign was prompted by a series of reports into sexual harassment, discrimination and violence in the Western Australian mining industry.
Major mining company Rio Tinto released its Report into Workplace Culture at Rio Tinto in February 2022. The report found that bullying was systemic within the company and sexual harassment occurred at unacceptable rates. Rio Tinto operates a network of iron ore mines in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
The Enough is Enough report tabled in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly in June 2022 found that sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry represented ‘a failure of the industry to protect its workers’.
Mining is a critical industry in South Australia, employing about 15,000 workers. It is also one of the most high-risk industries and has unique risk profiles which is why a focus on this industry was a priority.|
The proactive campaign found that employers at the eight SA mines audited were aware of the Rio Tinto report and had actively taken steps to improve work environments and systems of work addressing concerns raised in the report. The audits found that systems had matured as part of a process of continual improvement.
Workers interviewed reported a high level of support from their immediate managers and a strong understanding of reporting systems and mechanisms.
Awareness of the broader psychosocial safety issues such as burnout, poor role clarity and job security were found to be less understood across multiple interviews.
“We acknowledge the efforts made by the mining industry to improve safe work environments and systems of work to prevent risks associated with sexual harassment, discrimination and violence in the wake of the 2022 Rio Tinto report,” said SafeWork SA executive director, Glenn Farrell.
“Systems however are only as good as the commitment by leadership to ensure, in consultation with workers, they are appropriate, effective, and reviewed as necessary.
This is a complex issue which requires constant attention to embed a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace culture.
“Adverse behaviours such as bullying and sexual harassment are symptomatic of broader psychosocial safety problems – addressing these in a way that is contextual for the industry is likely to minimise the likelihood of such behaviours emerging.”