Course - MARS Grant

Psychosocial Risk Management: Capability Enhancement

Join us for this AIHS-endorsed program, designed to provide practical insight into psychosocial hazards and risks within the WA mining sector.

This three-day program, delivered face-to-face over several months, is heavily subsidised by the Department of Local Government Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) through the WA Government’s Mental Awareness Respect & Safety (MARS) program. It is designed to build internal capability within the mining sector and support organisations to meet their obligations under the WA WHS Act.

The focus is on developing internal subject matter expertise. Participants will be equipped to identify, assess and mitigate psychosocial hazards in a way that is practical, systematic and sustainable, ultimately contributing to psychologically healthy workplaces.

* The subsidised rate is only for WA mining and supporting industry participants. Scholarships and non mining or supporting industry enquiries please email info@fifofocus.com.au or for additional information on this initiative.

Psychosocial risk management
Psychosocial risk management

Course Overview

Capability Enhancement Program

FIFO Focus, in partnership with the Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS), are proud recipients of a grant from the WA Government’s Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program 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 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.

Learning Outcomes

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

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

Who Should Attend:

As this course is funded by WA Government’s MARS Initiative, the program is STRICTLY available to internal mining representatives and supporting industry companies responsible for managing the program of identifying, assessing & mitigating psychosocial risk, such as:

For those who are not eligible, please contact Sandra Lam (sandra.lam@fifofocus.com.au) for alternatives.

Psychosocial risk management
Psychosocial risk management

As this course is funded by WA Government’s MARS Initiative, the program is STRICTLY available to internal mining representatives and supporting industry companies responsible for managing the program of identifying, assessing & mitigating psychosocial risk, such as:

For those who are not eligible, please contact Sandra Lam (sandra.lam@fifofocus.com.au) for alternatives.

Course Schedule

Entrance on the Ground Floor, Harper Terrace underneath Dolce and Salato.

View on Google Maps here.

Participants MUST be able to attend all days in person. Sessions will not be recorded.

Code
Dates
Register
Status

CP15

1 July 2026
2 July 2026
5 August 2026

1 July 2026
2 July 2026
5 August 2026

Not started

CP15 – Assessment Day

6 August 2026

Not started

CP16

25 August 2026
26 August 2026
7 October 2026

25 August 2026
26 August 2026
7 October 2026

Not started

CP16 – Assessment Day

8 October 2026

Not started

CP17

20 October 2026
21 October 2026
1 December 2026

20 October 2026
21 October 2026
1 December 2026

Not started

CP17 – Assessment Day

2 December 2026

Not started

CP18

9 March 2027
10 March 2027
28 April 2027

9 March 2027
10 March 2027
28 April 2027

Not started

CP18 – Assessment Day

29 April 2027

Not started

Would you like to attend this training at a future date? Register your interest:

Nationally Recognised Training: Support and Assessment Day

Participants who wish to obtain the nationally recognised unit BSBWHS512 – Contribute to managing work-related psychological health and safety can do so through a separate FIFO Focus Support and Assessment Day following completion of the course.

This day is designed to support participants to demonstrate competency in a structured and practical way, rather than requiring a self-managed evidence portfolio.

For further details, including dates and requirements, please click here or contact us at info@fifofocus.com.au .

Course Presenters

Sharon Rudderham

Principal Consulting Psychologist

View Bio >>
Sharon is a registered psychologist with significant experience in leadership, people & culture, and business partnering. With a passion for creating mentally healthy workplaces and psychosocial risk management, Sharon collaborates with organisations to build internal capability and create inclusive, sustainable, safe and high performing organisations. Her experience predominantly spans the Mining and Oil & Gas sectors, including FIFO and remote residential roles, and both operational and corporate roles. She holds a Masters in Organisational Psychology from the University of Western Australia and is an ICR Accredited Coach.

Michelle Stephenson

Lead Consulting Organisational Psychologist

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Michelle is a solution-focused organisational psychologist, facilitator, and coach with a passion for workplace mental health and wellbeing. She specialises in mental health assessment, psychosocial risk evaluation, trauma-informed care, and psychometric assessment across private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Michelle works with mining organisations to assess and develop controls for psychosocial hazards. Her experience also includes supporting frontline workers exposed to trauma and stress, and providing training in emotional support and suicide intervention. Michelle is dedicated to helping organisations and staff develop sustainable, healthy working practices.

Sandra Lam

Managing Director

View Bio >>
Sandra Lam is the managing director and founder of FIFO Focus. As an endorsed organisational psychologist and organisational development professional, she has over two decades of industry experience in the public and private sectors in Australia and overseas. Throughout her career, Sandra has developed expertise in improving organisational performance, born from a desire to make workplaces safer, more welcoming and more enjoyable. Sandra’s goal in establishing FIFO Focus was to empower individuals to become mentally resilient and support employers to manage the complexities of psychological health among remote workers. Sandra’s qualifications include a Masters in Organisational Psychology and an MBA.

About FIFO Focus

FIFO Focus works to create psychologically healthier workplaces for FIFO workers. Our education and psychological support services are designed to help organisations manage psychosocial risks and develop mental resilience and wellbeing in the FIFO sector.

We design and support proactive interventions to limit psychosocial harm in remote work environments. We partner with employers to build internal capacity to build psychologically healthy workplaces and develop a more resilient workforce. We also offer education and support directly to individuals, including FIFO workers and their partners.

Developing mental resilience is one of the key mitigative factors for FIFO workers and their families. For FIFO employees, learning better ways to deal with day to day stresses and challenges or remote work can lead a more fulfilling and rewarding life.

Our registered psychologists and behavioural specialists use the latest research to create practical solutions and systems for happier, healthier FIFO workplaces and workers.

Course Fee

Cost: AIHS Member: $1,900* (excl. GST) | Non Member: $2,185* (excl. GST)

We invite you to join our Psychosocial Risk Management training today!

* The subsidised rate is only for WA mining and supporting industry participants. Scholarships and non-mining or supporting industry enquiries please email info@fifofocus.com.au.

** You will need to submit your Certificate of Attendance to the relevant authority to obtain your CLE/CPD points.

Expression of Interest

Psychosocial Risk Management: Capability Enhancement