Resources workers oblivious to hazards
PrintNew workers entering the resources industry are dangerously unaware of the majority of hazards that surround them, according to new research published by Edith Cowan University (ECU).
The research found that in one WA-based company, new employees could identify on average only 43 per cent of hazards.
ECU School of Management researcher Dr Susanne Bahn’s report found that new employees in the resources industry were underprepared for working in such a high-risk environment, while workers with more experience tended to become complacent with workplace risks.
Dr Bahn conducted interviews with occupational health and safety managers from a range of resources companies working in WA. Their responses included:
- “I think hazard ID is good. What we lack is the power to understand the ‘it won’t happen to me’ attitude.”
- “Blasé to the extreme and you couple that with a lack of awareness of what are the risks and hazards.”
- “They either believe it’s not going to happen to them or it’s okay if I do it quickly."
Dr Bahn has called for a rethink of safety training in the resources industry focussing on practical training in identification of hazards and ongoing training for experienced employees.
“We need to go back to basics and simple ways to point out hazards in the workplace, getting out of the classroom and into the field,” she said.
“Training that moves into specific work areas where hazards are identified in situ is one way we could help instil the importance of this process.”
The full report can be fond here