Mining workers ability to identify hazards using a picture survey

This paper presents the first phase on a study investigating the skills of workers in the resource sector at their safety induction to identify workplace hazards. This study questioned the ability of managers and employees to identify workplace hazards correctly (phase 1) and to determine the processes that can be used to increase hazard identification skills (phase 2). Fifty-four completed surveys that contained 6 pictures displaying complex and hazardous work environments in an underground mine in WA are analysed. The analysis sought to determine the average number of hazards that each participant could identify out of a possible 10 in each picture. The findings include that new entrants, and those with limited experience identified few hazards in the pictures. Exploration workers had the best hazard identification skills over their counterparts, and those in Supervisory roles performed lesser than expected. The study recommends specific training in hazard identification prior to beginning work in the mining industry

Evaluation of the Neurodegenerative Conditions Coordinated Care Program (NCCCP) in Western Australia: Barriers to better service provision

This paper details a 2009–2010 evaluation of the Neurodegenerative Conditions Coordinated Care Program (NCCCP) commissioned by the Disability Services Commission (DSC) in Western Australia (WA). The program, run by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA (Inc.) provides in-home care and supports and respite for people who are under the age of sixty-five and diagnosed with a rapidly degenerative neurological condition. In 2009, the identified barriers to the better provision of services included: shortage of quality out-of-home respite providers, and convoluted paperwork requirements to qualify for the program. Some service providers were unaware of the program and so were not referring them into the NCCCP, a number of service providers were unwilling to refer their clients into the program, neurologists were unwilling to give a final diagnosis for a client, that would enable them to qualify for the service, there was a general lack of knowledge about what services were available in the general community, and existing equipment pools were under-resourced. In 2010, the study found that most of the issues had been addressed however, out-of-home respite services were still very limited especially in rural areas, and the eligibility criteria for entry to the program is confined to those 65 years and under. This paper discusses the issues that still remain with the program as examples of barriers to better provision of services

Eliciting data from participants using visual mapping as a collection technique

This article uses the project evaluation of the School-Aged Therapy Service for children with disabilities in Western Australia as an example of alternative ways to gather qualitative data from participants. The purpose of the evaluation was to pave the way for considerable and quick developmental operational change in order to stem the complaints from users of the service and to provide more effective service delivery. With this in mind the research team determined it was necessary to ‘map’ the current model of operation as there was inconsistency from the staff as to their understanding, and their ideal model of operation before presenting a new model to management. To facilitate the change process the researchers conducted a final focus group two months after the formal evaluation to map the staff’s perceptions of how the proposed new model would work and the challenges the changes would produce. This article presents ‘visual maps’ that have been drawn by the staff to demonstrate that this technique provides rich, raw, timely, collaborative artefacts that are invaluable for organizations encouraging change

Improving safety culture: the impact of the construction induction training on the construction industry in Western Australia

Australia strives to be a world leader in safety practice however improving safety cultures to reduce work-related injuries in the hazardous environment of the construction industry is a continual challenge. It is particularly difficult in Western Australia (WA) where the industry is engaging with the second development boom this century, often in isolated locations, and simultaneously adapting to the national harmonisation of OHS regulations. In 2006, Worksafe WA introduced mandatory certification in safety awareness training for all employees, before they could begin work on a construction site. This paper reviews the impact of this training on the construction industry, presenting both the perceptions of the stakeholders from their survey returns and through the analysis of lost time injury/disease statistics. The findings of the study indicate that the training has played a role in decreased work-related injuries and changing attitudes to safety training

Getting reticent young male participants to talk: using artefact-mediated interviews to promote discursive interaction

During a pilot study that used interviews to collect data from young male apprentices about construction site safety, we were confronted with limited verbal responses. This article is about how we explored this research problem of ameliorating unresponsive interview interactions. The article reviews the options that previous researchers have trialled and developed, and specifically focuses on artefact-mediated interviews conducted with young male participants. We focus on the use of images within artefact-mediated interviews to draw out data from less communicative subjects. Our reflection upon this process proposes that the use of both abstract and concrete images within an artefact-mediated interview can produce diverse and enriched forms of data

The unmet promise of occupational health and safety harmonisation: continued complexity for small, multi-jurisdictional firms

Harmonisation of state-based occupational health and safety (OHS) regimes is a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) initiative designed to ‘cut red tape’ for Australian firms. However Western Australia’s, South Australia’s and Victoria’s lack of harmonisation makes it problematic for firms that conduct business in multiple jurisdictions. In this paper we investigate what impacts harmonisation has on firms generally and specifically smaller, multi-jurisdictional firms. First, we look at the requirements of the model WHS Act and what it said about managerial responsibilities for OHS. We focus on the due diligence clause which places personal liability on company directors or persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCUBs) for breaches in their duty. As a new duty, this also increases complexity for small, multi-jurisdictional firms depending on the jurisdiction in which they operate and the legislation to which they need to attend. We then question how these small firms may deal with this problem and draw on findings of a study where the impact of the harmonisation on safety professionals and training design and delivery was explored. Although the focus was not specifically on small firms, the data suggests small firms do not use dedicated safety professionals and instead rely on industry associations to understand their OHS obligations. Indeed, some small firms attempt to avoid compliance entirely, until ordered by regulators to comply. This is a risky strategy as the costs of being found guilty of a breach or non-compliance are significant. Moreover, small, multi-jurisdictional firms need to be conversant with at least two sets of OHS legislation with differing requirements and levels of penalties. The paper contributes to the debate on small firm regulation and shows that despite attempts to ease the regulatory burden in smaller firms that operate across state borders, complexity remains

Workers on temporary 457 visas: Challenges they face when working in the Western Australian resources sector

As a response to the shortage of specialised workers in the Western Australian (WA) resources sector, business has resorted to employing workers on temporary 457 visas. This paper provides an insight into some of the challenges workers on 457 visas reported while working in Australia in a study that collected data in 2012. While the study focussed on costs and benefits of employing workers on 457 visas to business, the migrant worker and the larger Australian community, part of the data included the social and financial costs to these workers. It is this data that is reported in this paper. Workers on 457 visas stated that financial costs that directly affected them were the requirement to cover their medical and child care costs as well as some paid up to $3000 to overseas Migration Agents to arrange their visas. The social costs included extreme loneliness, acceptance by Australian workers and difficulties with spouse and family who may be large distances apart that is further exacerbated by fly-in/fly-out working arrangements. Relocation Agents appear to provide the very valuable connection to community for newly arrived migrants in that they facilitate introductions for people to establish new friendships. The emotional and social welfare of these workers emerged as key components of successful assimilation in Australia. Failure to acknowledge these problems resulted in threats to emotional well being of the workers and their families and in some cases led to workers returning home earl