As such, a new COVID-19 WHS working group has been formed. The new group is focused solely on responding to specific health and safety issues and meet on an as-needs basis. The group had its first meeting this month to discuss the current priorities (all commenced by the previous working group), including second wave planning, outbreak planning, vaccinations, and screening/FIFO DETECT. CME members that are interested in participating can contact (L.Nowell@cmewa.com). 

Additionally, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has recently released a new standard, Occupational health and safety management – Safe working during the COVID-19 Pandemic (ISO/PAS 45005:2020). The document provides guidelines to organisations on how to manage the risks arising from COVID-19 to protect work-related health, safety and well-being. The standard is publicly available in a read-only format here, and is applicable to organisations of all sizes and sectors 

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CME Chief Executive Paul Everingham said CME would work closely with BHP to implement the reforms, several of which CME already had in place in line with internal processes. 
 
“Following a review, BHP has committed to maximise the value of its memberships to industry associations such as CME, and we welcome that,” he said. 
 
“CME values the BHP membership very highly.  BHP has played an extremely constructive positive role in the WA economy and community.  We look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship with BHP and all its employees. 

“Going forward, BHP has requested industry associations that it is a member of to develop and agree on a protocol for the allocation of advocacy accountabilities at the national and state level, as well as develop and publish an Annual Advocacy Plan. 
 
“Each policy area in CME has already developed work plans in which our policy priorities for the coming year are outlined to ensure our efforts and limited resources are focused on the most critical issues for our members. 
 
“We regularly track the progress of our priorities, which are closely monitored through our committee process and are published in our annual report and end of year review. 
 
“CME is committed to demonstrating our value to our members and will continue to work hard to give our members the confidence that we are working on their behalf in their best interests.”  

CME will work with BHP to implement the Protocol and Advocacy Plan models before the end of 2020. 

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“BHP has filled hundreds of new positions locally for the extra roles it advertised for across its operations in response to the COVID-19 crisis in roles such as machinery and production operators, truck and ancillary equipment drivers, excavator operators, boilermakers, electricians, trades assistants, cleaners and warehousing.

“In addition, BHP also hired 35 laid-off Qantas and Virgin WA staff to help with social distancing protocols and health screening at airports.

“Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) continued to recruit through the COVID-19 crisis for new team members to support the Company’s operational needs, filling hundreds of positions locally in a range of roles including engineers, geologists, automotive mechanics, electricians and mining and process operators.”

Mr Everingham said incentive packages offered by companies to attract their interstate employees to move permanently to WA had included relocation and housing assistance, which compliments the WA Government’s housing construction incentive.

“We also acknowledge that making the decision to relocate across the Nullarbor is a major life-changing decision, and in many instances workers haven’t been able to get home yet to sit around their kitchen table with their family and friends to make such a life-changing decision.”

Mr Everingham estimates that only about 1 to 2 per cent of the workforce still need to be sourced from outside of WA under the current COVID-19 operating environment.

“Exceptional reasons still exist for sourcing skills outside of WA, which cannot be simply substituted locally. These roles are often safety-critical and highly technical, and require unique skills or years of experience, often with a particular type of machinery. The risks associated with this type of work require extensive on the job experience to assure the highest standards of safety, including in major hazard scenarios.”

Mr Everingham said the WA resources sector remained committed to skills development for current and future workers in the industry.

“For example, Rio Tinto has committed funding toward the upskilling of out of work apprentices across various industries by covering their fees for a course in automation. This will allow for the enrolment of up to 200 apprentices who have had their apprenticeships suspended or cancelled due to COVID-19, he said.

“BHP recently welcomed 125 WA apprentices and trainees into its ranks as part of a new national training program that will help to bolster Australia’s skills base and create new career pathways into the mining sector.

“In line with its commitment to providing training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people, Fortescue has continued to run its Vocational Training and Employment Centre program through the COVID-19 period resulting in 21 Aboriginal trainees securing full-time employment, joining 900 former graduates.”

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• New incentives to entice eastern states-based FIFO workers to relocate to WA permanently
• Incentives include access to the State Government’s $20,000 Building Bonus grant
• Part of plans to grow economy and support small businesses during COVID-19 recovery

The McGowan Government is partnering with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) to lure eastern states-based FIFO workers to relocate to Western Australia. 

There are currently around 5,000 to 6,000 FIFO workers who currently reside in the eastern states, and fly to WA to undertake work on mining and oil and gas sites across the State.

Typically, these workers would fly to Perth airport before travelling to their respective worksite, according to their work roster, and then head back to the eastern states at the conclusion of their shift.

Due to COVID-19 and WA’s hard border, many eastern states FIFO workers have temporarily relocated to WA, to be able to continue working in the WA industry.

The State Government and CME’s members are offering incentives for these workers to relocate to WA permanently, to support the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Eastern states-based workers will be able to access the McGowan Government’s $20,000 Building Bonus grant, which is available to any homebuyer who wishes to build a new house in WA. 

The Building Bonus grants are open until December 31, 2020 and will be available for workers who wish to build in Perth or across regional WA. 

Several CME members will offer their eastern states-based workers a range of incentives to assist with relocation costs and mortgage payments.

For more information on the Building Bonus grant, visit here.  

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

“Western Australia is a great place to live and has a lot to offer those who already work here, but currently reside in homes in the eastern States.

“We expect by offering the Building Bonus to these workers, it will provide a strong incentive for them to make the move to WA, and build a new home.

“They are already working here on mining or oil and gas sites across the State. We want as many of these workers as possible to consider making a home in WA, and I’d particularly encourage them to learn about some of our fantastic communities in regional WA.

“By relocating to WA permanently, we can further support WA small businesses and continue to grow our economy as we continue the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Comments attributed to Chamber of Minerals and Energy CEO Paul Everingham:

“A number of our members are offering attractive incentives to encourage interstate FIFO workers to permanently relocate to WA to complement the Federal and State Government’s home building stimulus packages.

“These incentives offered by companies include relocation financial assistance, mortgage payment support and assistance to travel to their state of origin once or twice a year. 

“In addition, many companies will provide a regional living allowance to encourage workers to reside in the communities in which their company operates. 

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The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) established the initiative in the face of the COVID19 outbreak and its members were quick to provide their financial support, to be distributed between three key WA organisations – Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Operations (RFDS WO), Foodbank WA and Lifeline WA.

CME Chief Executive Paul Everingham said the funding would assist COVID-19 patients in remote and regional WA, as well as support mental health and provide essential supplies to vulnerable community members.

“During the coronavirus pandemic, the WA resources sector’s highest priority is the health and safety of its people, their families and communities,” Mr Everingham said.

“The sector is extremely grateful for being allowed to continue to operate in this environment and does not take the responsibility lightly.

“The resources sector has come together in solidarity at a time when the West Australian community is being asked to do the same thing.

“Our member companies are keen to collectively do something to further support our resources sector workforce, as well as the broader WA community, who are becoming increasingly challenged by current events.

“So far, Albemarle Lithium, AngloGold Ashanti Australia, BHP, Chevron Australia, CITIC Pacific Mining, Fortescue Metals Group, Gold Fields, Gold Road Resources, Mount Gibson Iron, Newcrest Mining, Newmont, Ramelius Resources, Regis Resources, Rio Tinto, Roy Hill, Saracen Minerals, Shell, South32, Talison Lithium, Transalta Australia and Woodside Energy have contributed to the initiative, with further companies finalising their investment over the coming days and weeks.

“We are all in this together and we will stand with the WA community to overcome this challenge.”

Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Operations (RFDS WO) CEO Rebecca Tomkinson said the contribution would help the RFDS boost their service.

“We have been a trusted health care partner in Western Australia for more than 90 years. We are there to help a mate when they need us the most – and that time is now, in the coming weeks and the many months ahead. We are incredibly grateful for the critical support from CME member companies which will assist us towards bolstering our service for the surge capacity we will need to respond across regional WA,” Ms Tomkinson said.

Foodbank WA CEO Greg Hebble said the funding has come at a crucial time for the food relief charity as supplies are at an all-time low and demand is expected to surge as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of CME as it will help us continue to provide a reliable supply of food and groceries to our charity partners and welfare agencies, to help the most vulnerable members of the community put food on the table,” said Mr Hebble.

Lifeline WA CEO Lorna MacGregor said the significant contribution from CME’s members will save lives.

“Lifeline WA is eternally grateful for the overwhelming response from the Western Australian Government, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and its members for prioritizing the mental health needs of our community at this crucial time. It is absolutely essential that we ensure our services have the capability to respond effectively to people who need our help. This significant contribution to Lifeline WA will save lives. We want to reassure every Western Australian that we are still here for you, at any time you need us on 13 11 14.”

Premier Mark McGowan welcomed the Community Support Initiative and thanked CME member companies for their efforts in responding to COVID-19.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything we have ever experienced in Western Australia.

“All sections of the community have a responsibility to play their part in responding to COVID-19, and I acknowledge Western Australia’s resources sector for its efforts to date.

“This is a fantastic initiative that will provide vital support to people in regional WA, in particular those living in remote communities, who are particularly vulnerable during this time.

“I thank all Western Australians during this extremely challenging time and stress once again – we will get through these challenging times if we continue to work together.”

Mr Everingham said contributions to the COVID-19 initiative are above and beyond the significant contributions made by the resources sector to support numerous other organisations/charities across Western Australia and Australia, prior to, during and beyond COVID-19, including:

• Up to $160 million from Andrew Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation and Fortescue Metals Group to procure and distribute medical supplies and increase testing;
• $25 million from Rio Tinto to support global grassroots community
COVID-19 preparedness and recovery, on top of its recent extension of its $15 million Royal Flying Doctors partnership to support health for remote communities in Western Australia;
• BHP establishing a $50 million Vital Resources Fund to help support regional Australian communities in its areas of operation, which are facing the significant challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. This follows BHP’s commitment to deliver $100 million into small, local and Indigenous businesses by accelerating payments and reducing payment terms to seven days (from 30 days), and to employ a further 1,500 people to support its Australian operations; and
• Woodside will establish a $10 million COVID-19 Community Fund to provide direct support to the communities where they are active.

“The generosity of our member companies during this crisis has been overwhelming and is reflective of the top priority they place on protecting the health and safety of all of their employees and Western Australian communities,” Mr Everingham said.

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The West Australian Government has released its pandemic plan to restrict the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

You can download it in PDF or Word Doc

Resource sector companies can request further information by emailing us chamber@cmewa.com Please note, this is for resource sector companies only. Further travel information can be found here.

For the latest official updates on COVID-19 please visit https://www.australia.gov.au/ and https://www.health.gov.au

For information on mental health support please visit https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or call 13 43 57

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“The 2019 Australian Infrastructure Audit found that Australia could provide global leadership and innovation in the energy sector by leveraging its natural resources and high-quality research institutions.

The CRC will be perfectly positioned to develop and test new technologies with the potential to improve operational performance, increase process reliability and reduce production costs, leading to better environmental and economic outcomes.”

Mr Everingham said an important part of the funding package would be the allocation of $16 million to the planned world-first microscale LNG plant that will form part of the LNG Futures Facility in Kwinana.

“Our members including Chevron, Woodside, Shell, Santos and Inpex have been heavily involved in the development of this facility through the LNG Jobs Taskforce, which aims to create local jobs in WA’s LNG industry,” he said.

“The Kwinana facility has the potential to create up to 1,400 jobs.”

Mr Everingham said a key priority for CME and its members was to reduce the cost of doing business and remove unnecessary administrative burden to ensure WA is well-positioned to take advantage of the next wave of investment expected to flow into the State.

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Along with the 26 primary schools, Karratha Senior High School and the Port Hedland School of the Air have also signed onto the program, which was funded and developed through the Pilbara Collaboration Charter.

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) Chief Executive Paul Everingham said the ‘Resources Challenges: Automation’ pilot would teach digital technologies curriculum in the context of the WA resources sector.

“Coding and automation skills will be learnt as students navigate their robots representing autonomous haul trucks, drills and underwater vehicles or drones across maps that represent scenarios that are faced by the State’s resources sector,” Mr Everingham said.

“Industry representatives will assist teaching the concepts and share their career journeys through short online videos set in the challenges.”

Mr Everingham said a key component of the initiative was the value it would add to the upskilling of regional teachers through professional development.

“Teacher professional development has recently been held across the Pilbara region including Karratha, Port Hedland, Newman, Tom Price, Onslow and Pannawonica to upskill teachers in this important new curriculum learning area,” he said.

“The Resources Challenges: Automation will provide Pilbara-based teachers real-world challenges from a sector that is associated with the local communities where people live and work.”

The charter was signed by WA Premier Mark McGowan, CME and its members BHP, Chevron Australia, CITIC Pacific Mining, Fortescue Metals Group, Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Roy Hill, Woodside and Yara Pilbara.

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