Rio Tinto, BHP and Fortescue Collaborate on New Learning Programs to Create Safer Workplaces
24 October 2021 - 10:00AM
Business Wire
Rio Tinto, BHP and Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) have
agreed to partner and fund innovative, industry-first learning
programs as part of a continued commitment towards mining sector
workplaces that are free from sexual harassment, bullying and
racism.
Through this partnership, Rio Tinto, BHP and Fortescue 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.
By starting conversations on these vital topics through
education providers, the industry can make an important
contribution to raise awareness of social wellbeing and related
behaviours (collectively referred to as “psychosocial harm”) for
the benefit of all Western Australians.
The collaboration partners will invite leading experts in social
wellbeing to form part of a working group bringing together
government, community, industry and educators across TAFE, RTOs,
universities and high schools in Western Australia to design and
implement the program.
A pilot program for TAFE students will be developed through
South Metropolitan TAFE. The pilot, to be developed in 2022, will
form part of core learning requirements for students who may be
planning to join Rio Tinto, BHP or Fortescue. South Metropolitan
TAFE will go on to share this education package through the broader
WA TAFE network.
The partnership will also explore the potential to work with
universities and high schools to encompass broader education
pathways across the State, as well as for delivery in workplaces.
In time, these packages will be made available for application
across broader industries and across other parts of Australia.
The education program is one of a number of initiatives
introduced by mining companies to address sexual harassment,
bullying and racism in WA’s mining sector.
All three companies joined with the Chamber of Minerals and
Energy earlier this year to pledge support for the parliamentary
inquiry into sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining
industry and committed to work together to eradicate these
behaviours from the sector.
Comments attributed to Rio Tinto Chief Executive, Iron Ore,
Simon Trott:
“Our number one priority is the safety, health and wellbeing of
our people and our communities.
“We recognise that we have some way to go to achieve workplaces
free from sexual harassment, bullying and racism across our
industry and we are committed to making the changes needed to
create a safer work environment where respectful behaviour is
experienced by everyone.
“Education is one part of a range of measures Rio Tinto is
introducing to create safer workplaces, including building
leadership capability, improving our camp facilities, new rules on
the consumption of alcohol, as well as improving the way we
prevent, respond to, report and investigate incidents in order to
build a respectful, safe and inclusive culture.
“We expect this partnership with BHP and FMG will help build a
safer workplace and help empower our future workforce to create the
culture we need.”
Comments attributed to BHP WA Iron Ore asset president
Brandon Craig:
“Sexual assault and sexual harassment have no place at BHP or
anywhere in our industry.
“We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive workplace at
all times, where disrespectful behaviours are eliminated.
“Education and training are critical to ensuring common
understanding of the behaviours that are appropriate and acceptable
at BHP.
“This industry collaboration will complement our existing
internal training programs, leadership training, communication
campaigns, and upgrades to camp security, and support services
available to anyone who experiences disrespectful
behaviour.”
Comments attributed to Fortescue Metals Group Chief Executive
Officer, Ms Elizabeth Gaines:
“The safety and wellbeing of the Fortescue family is our highest
priority and we are strongly committed to providing a safe, diverse
and inclusive work environment for all our team members.
“There is no place for harassment and bullying of any kind in
the mining sector or in any workplace, and we will continue to work
with industry partners to take decisive action to ensure our
workplaces are safe for everyone.
“In line with our value of empowerment, this partnership with
Rio Tinto and BHP will provide young West Australians looking at a
career in the mining sector with the skills to identify and speak
up against inappropriate behaviour and enhance the safety, culture
and experience of working in WA’s mining sector.”
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211023005002/en/
Media contacts Kate Barcham
0438 990 238 Kate.barcham@riotinto.com Jamie Macdonald 0467 725 517
Jamie.Macdonald@riotinto.com Alana Buckley-Carr 0416 295 600
alana.buckleycarr@bhp.com Michael Vaughan 0422 602 720
mediarelations@fmgl.com.au Category: Pilbara
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