If there is one thing that has caught the entire worlds attention, it is the health & safety of ourselves, our families and our community.
Although it seems that in Australia we have endured the initial peak, it is often coming down the mountain that proves more dangerous.
With Covid-19 rapidly entering the equation, Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) throughout the mining industry has come under immense pressure. Nevertheless, the industry has risen to the task of swiftly implementing measures to minimise the spread of Covid-19 and ensure the safety of its workforce and communities.
However, with questions still being asked about the overall WHS of the industry, will we see a new era of WHS regulations throughout the mining industry post Covid-19?
Social Distancing
One element which could prove the easiest (and cheapest) to remain in place is social distancing.
Although measures may not remain as extreme as those implemented throughout the lockdown, there is something to be said for general social distancing procedures to prevent potential illnesses and contamination from others.
With what should be a slow recovery process from a pandemic such as Covid-19, things like social distancing measures could come to be second nature to a lot of us; like washing your hands after going to the bathroom (I hope this is second nature to most of us).
Also, with many companies having modified their workplace to adhere to social distancing regulations, unless certain measures prove to restrict capabilities, I see no reason for those to be reversed.
Hygiene Stations
One factor which could be difficult to maintain would be the use of hygiene stations.
Although these are vital throughout a pandemic, it could prove difficult to encourage workers to continue using them once we are in the clear.
One way to support the continuation of workplace hygiene stations is ensuring they are conveniently placed and remain quick and easy to use therefore not becoming an inconvenience for staff.
Another reason this could become an issue post Covid-19 is that hygiene stations could be depicted as an unnecessary expense for most companies. If they were not in place prior to this pandemic, then are they necessary after?
I would again argue that hygiene stations should remain to prevent potential illnesses and contamination from others.
Working from Home / Workforce Rotations
The more controversial aspect of what could come out of this pandemic is working from home or modified workforce rotations and rosters.
With much of the workflow still getting done, could we see altered working rosters and working arrangements?
Yes, there are many aspects of work that have to be completed on site or in the office, but with companies getting by with certain parts of the workforce remaining home or coming in every other week, is there a case to be made about how a working week will look when this is said and done.
With metrics in place to track productivity there is no reason for people to attend the office or site just so managers can watch over them however, I do understand there cannot be a case to work from home exclusively (although I’m sure most people won’t be arguing for this as most are desperate to get out the house and back into the office/site!!!).
With many companies also splitting the workforce in half and alternating who is on site and who is working from home, could this end up prevailing as the new norm?
Conclusion
With WHS proving a contentious issue before and during Covid-19, especially in QLD given the recent number of workplace injuries & deaths in recent years, could this spark a complete overhaul of WHS throughout QLD and the Australian Mining Industry as a whole?
Only time will tell and although it could be an arduous road out of this pandemic, it could serve as the catalyst for a WHS rebuild for the better.
Kyle Robin
Mining Consultant
Franklin Smith