Edith Cowan University’s (ECU) Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Centre hosted its maiden research showcase in Perth, Western Australia late last month.
The showcase presented a range of projects that aim to create a mentally healthy workplace, build a culture of safety and respect, and prepare for workplace safety within the mining industry.
Numerous research projects from ECU’s School of Business and Law and the School of Medical and Health Sciences showcased emerging technologies, critical safety improvements, the wellbeing of fly-in fly-out miners, advancing diversity and inclusion within the sector, and the impact of welding fumes on workers.
MARS Centre research conducted by Judy Lundy, Uma Jogulu, and student Amy Chappel showed how building an inclusive and diverse workplace positively influences respectful and healthy relationships.
The study evaluated how a specially designed diversity and inclusion capability maturity model could support the resources industry to develop an inclusion culture to help address gender inequality in a male-dominated arena.
ECU says the model provides an opportunity for organisations to track their progress by setting up an assessment rhythm so that progress can be monitored, and accountabilities assigned.
It can also support maximising the likelihood of meaningful progress in advancing diversity and inclusion maturity, thereby positively influencing respectful and healthy behaviours and relationships.
In researching the paradoxical effects of emerging mining technologies, Senior Lecturer Eden Li conducted a systematic literature review to determine how technologies can impact health and safety in the industry.
The findings were that effective management of technological changes in the industry is crucial for fostering a sustainable and worker-friendly environment.
Li says the value of technological advancements hinges on effectively managing and implementing workplace changes.
“Adopting human centred principles and regularly evaluating practices allows organisations to design workplaces where technology enhances workers’ wellbeing rather than detracting from it,” Li says.
Further, Professor for Occupational Health and Safety Jacques Oosthuizen used data from the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and found that the Western Australian mining sector is not compliant to the workplace exposure standard (WES) for welding fumes.
Being exposed to welding fumes can increase the risk of tracheal, bronchial, and lung cancer. In January 2024, the WES for welding fumes decreased from 5 mg/m3 to 1mg/m3.
Oosthuizen says the data indicates that welding fume levels have remained constant over time, suggesting that existing control measures may be insufficient to meet the stricter standard.
“It is important to monitor non-powered air-purifying respirators-equipped individuals who may be working near welders as they could be exposed to fume, similar to side stream smoke from cigarettes,” he says.
MARS, which officially launched in 2023, works collaboratively with the Western Australian mining sector and serves as a hub for innovative research and knowledge sharing.
The centre aims to enhance safety, wellbeing, and bring cultural changes in the industry.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Edith Cowan University
