Occupational Health | Bulletin | No.OH0006 V 1.0 | 19 April 2023
Biannual Health Surveillance Report – March 2023
Overview
Understanding the incidence and types of occupational health harms across the resources industry is important for monitoring the effectiveness of exposure controls to manage risks. Our second biannual report includes further consideration of work histories and additional case studies of mine dust lung disease. It also includes information about reports to RSHQ of workplace sexual harassment (including sexual assault) in the Queensland resources industry.
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment in any form is unacceptable and industry has an obligation to ensure risks to workers’ safety and health from workplace hazards are managed to an acceptable level. This includes psychosocial hazards such as sexual harassment.
The report shows an under-representation of incidents. Workers are encouraged to make confidential complaints to RSHQ and industry are obligated to report serious and high potential incidents to RSHQ that relate to sexual harassment. Reports or complaints can be made directly to RSHQ’s dedicated team on 1300 581 077 and further information is available on our website.
RSHQ has enhanced its capability to regulate for this hazard, including a fit-for-purpose framework for receiving and responding to complaints and reports of sexual harassment. RSHQ has dedicated resources with a gender balance and additional training, expertise in psychology, and a direct phone number to this team to ensure matters can be responded to appropriately.
Further work will also be progressed including development of industry guidance and assessing effectiveness of operator controls.
SSE disease reporting
Site senior executives from all sectors are reminded of their obligation to notify an inspector whenever they receive a report of a prescribed disease (e.g. silicosis).
The full report is available to download.
Contact: Health Surveillance Unit, Occupational Health , 07 3818 5420 HSU@rshq.qld.gov.au
Issued by Resources Safety & Health Queensland
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