DEMIRS Grants for the WA Mining Industry

FIFO Focus and their partners are proud recipients of 2 DEMIRS Grants:

Specialised skills training available

Psychosocial Risk Management

Psychosocial Risk Management

Capability Enhancement Programs

FIFO Focus, in partnership with the Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS), are proud recipients of the DEMIRS Mentally Healthy Workplace Grant to deliver our Psychosocial Risk Management Capability Enhancement Programs for the WA mining industry, under a subsidised arrangement. The new WHS Act (2020) elevates psychological health placing a legal obligation on employers to ensure that working environments are safe from psychosocial hazards.

What is a Psychosocial Hazard?

Psychosocial hazards are related to psychological and social conditions of the workplace, not just physical conditions which can harm workers’ health and compromise wellbeing. They result from the way work is designed, organized and managed which increases the risk of work-related stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns. In turn, these factors can lead to either psychological or physical harm – or both.

Causes of Psychosocial Hazards

Psychosocial hazards can result from many risk factors such as, but not limited to, poor supervisor support, excessive job demands, poor organisational management, poor organisational justice, low recognition or reward, lack of role clarity, poor workplace relationships, remote or isolated work or traumatic events.

Consequences of Psychosocial Hazards

Exposure to psychosocial hazards has a strong correlation to mental health concerns such as stress, burnout, depression and anxiety, and can have both economic and social consequences. Left unaddressed, besides psychological harm, they can also affect worker performance, productivity, even profit.

Psychosocial Hazards can occur anywhere

Some hazards might always be present at work, while others occur occasionally.  A change in personnel, management, organisational structure, location, processes, procedures or targets can lead to new and different psychosocial hazards. There is a greater risk of work-related stress when psychosocial hazards combine and act together. Causes may be specific to an employee, work or workplace. Consequently, employers should not consider hazards in isolation.

Psychosocial Hazards may be invisible

You can’t address psychosocial hazards and risks unless you know what, and where, they may be. Employers and their people need to know how to recognise, identify, risk assess and prioritise them. Only then can appropriate action be taken to mitigate and control their impact. This requires specialised skills.

FIFO Focus provides Psychosocial Risk Management: Capability Enhancement Programs to address this issue directly with WA mining companies. Not only will you understand legislation, the Program equips you to meet DEMIRS compliance requirements, and develop skills to minimise harm, improve performance and increase productivity.

The comprehensive, four-day, AIHS endorsed program is aimed at understanding psychosocial hazards, identifying and recognising them, analysing risk, and developing strategies to mitigate, control and measure the impact.

The course adopts an action learning methodology. Participants will learn through practical application of skills within their organisation, supported by an informal peer support network.

AIHS members receive 24 CPD points at the completion of this program.

The program spans approximately 3-4 months where participants are required to attend two days face-to-face, then conduct hazards identification and risk assessments between days 3 and 4, scheduled between six to seven weeks apart. 

Who should attend the program:

CODE DATES REGISTER STATUS
CP1 Completed Closed Completed
CP2 Completed Closed Completed
CP3 Completed Closed Completed
CP4 Completed Closed Completed
CR1 17 Oct 2023
18 Oct 2023
9 Nov 2023
7 Dec 2023
Closed Completed
CP5 6 Feb 2024
7 Feb 2024
21 Mar 2024
2 May 2024
Closed Completed
CP6 25 June 2024
26 June 2024
15 Aug 2024
10 Oct 2024
Closed In progress
CR2 16 Sept 2024
17 Sept 2024
28 October 2024
10 December
Closed In progress
CP7 11 Feb 2025
12 Feb 2025
27 March
9 May 2025
Register Here
CP8 25 Mar 2025
26 Mar 2025
8 May 2025
26 June 2025
Register Here
Specialist Trauma Training

Specialist Trauma Training

Response, Investigation and Management of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Program

FIFO Focus, in partnership with the WHS Foundation, are proud recipients of the DEMIRS Grant to provide specialist training courses as part of the MARS program supporting initiatives to improve culture and respect in the mining industry.

There will be heavily DEMIRS-subsidised courses titled “Response Investigation and Management of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace” for the WA mining industry.

Background

The first response and/or conduct of investigations into significant incidents, grievances or complaints, are usually conducted in-house by peer supporters, medics, representatives, health and safety, human resources personnel and/or leaders.  Although some personnel are usually trained in general investigative processes, there is a lack of training specifically focusing on responding to, investigating and managing sexually based incidents with a trauma-informed approach.

A lack of understanding and either inaction, or the incorrect or wrong action, by response and investigation personnel, can lead to re-traumatisation and the erosion of individual and organisational rights and natural justice, the contamination of or loss of evidence, a failure to collect and preserve relevant information and evidence, breaches of confidentiality, and breaches of relevant employment, work health and safety, and discrimination laws.   

This two-level program provides a progressive build of skills in response, investigation, and management of sexual harassment in the workplace. The two levels of courses are intended to provide the following:

Level 1 – Support and Trauma Informed Considerations.

This course focuses on the ‘first do no harm’ philosophy in providing person-centred, initial support and minimising further harm or re-traumatisation when supporting or responding to sexual harassment incidents.

Level 2 – Reporting, Investigation & Dealing with Authorities. 

This course focuses on the ‘natural justice’ philosophy in providing legal informed response, reporting, investigation and management of sexual harassment incidents, balanced with the trauma-informed considerations from the Level 1 course.   

Learning Outcomes:

Through reflective learning, peer support & practical application, participants will:

  • Understand how trauma can impact sexual harassment investigations & the risks to people’s wellbeing in a sexual harassment investigation
  • Understand & be able to apply trauma informed considerations to manage risks
  • Be competent in arranging & conducting interviews in a trauma-informed fashion
  • Recognise & apply the relevant legal obligations of the organisation relating to reporting & responding
  • Understand protection of the relevant legal rights of individuals & organisations, & preservation of potential evidence
  • Be able to provide a set of referral options when assisting those presenting with trauma indicators
  • Understand & be able to provide effective follow-up & communication regarding the communication with stakeholders

Nationally Recognised Training

At the completion of the course, participants will have the option to complete assessments for the following Unit of Competency.

  • CHCCCS020 : Respond Effectively to Behaviours of Concern

Who should attend the program:

All WA mining personnel responsible for, or involved in responding to, investigating or managing sexual harassment incidents in the workplace:

Code Level 1 Dates Level 2 Dates Register
TM1 27-28 April 1-2 May Completed
TM2 20-21 June 22-23 June Completed
TM3 1-2 August 3-4 August Completed
TM4 29-30 July 2024 31 Jul-1 Aug 2024 Completed
TM5 2-3 Sept 2024 4-5 Sept 2024 Completed
TM6 29-30 Oct 2024 31 Oct-1 Nov 2024 Completed
TM7 3-4 Feb 2025 5-6 Feb 2025 Register Here

For further information on either of the above trainings, please contact us or email us at info@fifofocus.com.au.

What is the MARS Program?

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

This will be achieved with organisational and systemic change in three focus areas:

You can read more about it at the following link:

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