Psychological Capital – The Last Line of Defence in Psychosocial Safety in the Mining Industry​

The Challenge

The MARS Program Landmark Study highlighted mental health and wellbeing as critical concerns within the mining industry. Indeed, 30% of WA mining workers reporting high or very high levels of psychological distress and the WA sample reporting higher rates as compared to the general working population. Additionally, a review of national surveys between 2001 and 2018 by Enticott et al, 2022 shows that psychological distress is increasing, and when coupled with 38% of WA mining workers reporting high levels of burnout there is clearly a need for further research and intervention.

PsyCap is a personal resource that can be used to influence individual and organisational outcomes (Lashinger & Fida, 2014). PsyCap is made up of hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism (Luthans, 2002). PSC is considered to be an organisation level resource supporting psychological health through policies and practises developed to ensure worker mental health and safety (Dollard & Bakker, 2010).

This research aims to identify the role that PSC can play in influencing PsyCap, through intervention, to support positive improvement to psychosocial safety in the WA mining industry.

Proposed Solution

With psychological distress occurring in the Mining Industry at unacceptable levels, this novel research intends to explore how strengthening organisational Psychosocial Safety Climate (PSC) can improve Psychological Capital (PsyCap) outcomes, using identified intervention methods, resulting in reduced psychological distress.

Proposed Benefits to WA

The Mining Industry is a significant contributor to the Western Australian (and national) economy, as well as local communities. Any improvement in psychosocial safety outcomes because of recommendations and interventions identified from this research, has the potential to add significant value and strength to the WA Mining Industry and society.

Psychological distress is an increasing issue facing both society and specifically the Western Australian Mining Industry, and this research serves to improve upon the current position. Psychological distress is a direct contributor to workplace absenteeism, lost productivity, increasing work cover claims, and the overall mental health and physical well-being. Humans continue to contribute significantly to the mining industry, even with the introduction of autonomy and future ways of working and research that leads to improved human outcomes stands to deliver real and tangible value.

Furthermore, an improved psychosocial safety climate makes great business sense because it reduces the cost of stress-related illnesses and increases productivity, and performance.