The Western Australian Government announced the establishment of the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program in December 2021 to address serious mental health, workplace culture and safety issues in the Western Australian mining industry.
The MARS Program is an inter-agency collaboration involving the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS), the Mental Health Commission, the Equal Opportunity Commission and the Department of Communities.
The MARS Program has three focus areas:
- Creating mentally healthy workplaces – by managing psychosocial hazards and promoting positive practices at work that support mental health and wellbeing.
- Building a culture of safety and respect – with safe, gender-equitable, respectful and inclusive workplaces.
- Preparing for workplace safety in future mining – training the future mining workforce on work health and safety, including psychosocial hazards and controls, and by addressing emerging risks and fostering innovation and research in mining health and safety.
Find out more about the MARS Program
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Announcements
New MARS Program initiative – seeking industry input
The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program is pleased to be supporting Suicide Prevention Australia in the development and implementation of a Suicide Prevention Competency Framework for the mining industry in Western Australia.
Workforce safety insights revealed in latest mine worker study
A fourth report in the landmark study into mental health and workplace culture across Western Australia's mining sector has been released.
PhD Scholarships support health and well-being in WA mining
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston has launched the new Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program PhD Scholarships hosted by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA).
