Breakfast: Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Landmark Study - Insights and ideas moving forward

The mining industry constitutes 10% of Western Australia's workforce and is the backbone of the Australian economy. Yet, working in this sector can present significant challenges for workers.

During a time of significant focus on building a culture of well-being, safety and respect in Western Australian mining workplaces, we are pleased to be launching our latest report 'The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program Landmark Study: Insights from the Worker Survey and Interviews'. The report examined the perceptions and lived experiences of 2,550 mining workers across Western Australia.

You are invited to attend a launch breakfast for the report on Thursday 27 June at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, hosted by the Centre for Transformative Work Design at Curtin University and sponsored by the WA Government through the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program.

MARS Program Landmark Study Chief Investigator, ARC Laureate Fellow and John Curtin Distinguished Professor Sharon Parker will outline the key findings from the report, including:

• The current state and strengths of the WA mining industry, in relation to mental health and well-being

• How the culture of well-being, safety and respect in the WA mining industry is changing

• Underlying drivers of these important outcomes, and how we may leverage on these to improve outcomes for this critical industry and its workers

  
  

There will be an opportunity to discuss ways of moving forward in developing and sustaining a culture of well-being, safety and respect.

Minister for Training and Workforce Development; Water; Industrial Relations, Hon Simone McGurk MLA, will provide opening remarks.

Date Thursday 27 June 2024 

Time Registrations open at 7am for a 7.30am – 9.00am event

Cost This breakfast event is free, however registration is essential. Secure your spot now as places are limited. 

Who should attend

• Managers, senior leaders and professionals in the area of workplace health and safety, well-being, mental health and psychosocial risks within the WA mining industry, including site managers and frontline managers

• Representatives from industry (employer and employee) associations and unions

• Other mining stakeholders with an interest and role in enacting workplace change at operational levels

• Other mental health stakeholders

  
  
  
  

About the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program Landmark Study

The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program is a WA Government initiative that aims to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of workers and others in the mining industry.

The Centre for Transformative Work Design was commissioned by the Western Australian Government to design and implement a research and evaluation project focused on the mining industry, regarding three focus areas:

• Creating mentally healthy workplaces

• Building a culture of safety and respect

• Preparing for workplace safety in the future mine.

For more information, visit the MARS Program website.

About the Centre for Transformative Work Design

The Centre for Transformative Work Design (CTWD) is a Research Centre where passionate organisational psychology researchers and professionals are working together to transform work under the directorship of Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow, Professor Sharon K. Parker.

We conduct high quality, independent and innovative research to understand the role of work design in generating healthy and productive work.

We are committed to fostering the design of good work across all industries.

For more information, visit the CTWD website.