Talison Lithium on notice after WorkSafe finds psychological distress among Greenbushes workers
The Greenbushes mine has been described as a toxic workplace. (ABC South West WA: Jon Daly)
In short:
WorkSafe has found poor workplace culture and conditions at Talison's Greenbushes Lithium Mine have left workers exposed to significant psychological harm.
Staff say excessive demands, poor resourcing and work areas contaminated with animal faeces contributed to a toxic workplace culture.
Talison says it is fast-tracking changes to workplace culture and safety.
The owner of the world's largest lithium mine has been put on notice after a probe by Western Australia's work safety watchdog found a toxic workplace culture and psychologically distressed workforce.
WorkSafe issued an improvement notice to Talison Lithium in August after survey responses indicated workers were exposed to psychosocial hazards at its Greenbushes mine, 240 kilometres south of Perth.
Talison Lithium employs more than 1,500 workers at its Greenbushes site. (ABC South West WA: Jon Daly)
The survey identified excessive work demands, inadequate resourcing and poor work conditions as factors in an environment causing significant psychosocial harm to staff.
Reported issues included inadequate toilet facilities and working areas contaminated by animal faeces.
Current and former staff who have spoken to the ABC described a toxic workplace culture.
One worker, speaking anonymously due to the risk to their ongoing employment, said they felt morally distressed by what they witnessed at work and raised concerns over the independence of Talison's internal complaints process.
"Employees go externally when they feel they've exhausted everything internally," they said.
"I started to realise that I was at burnout."
Workers also reported tiredness, nervousness or anxiety, low mood or depression, hopelessness and feelings of worthlessness.
Miner apologises to staff
Greenbushes provides about 20 per cent of the world's lithium, which is considered crucial for the global energy transition.
In an email sent to staff and seen by the ABC, Talison chief executive Rob Telford apologised to workers whose experience had fallen short of expectations of a respectful and safe workplace.
"Let me be clear, any behaviour that undermines this, including bullying, aggression, intimidation, and any form of harassment, sexual or otherwise, has absolutely no place at Talison," Mr Telford wrote.
Rob Telford says the findings of a psychosocial survey are deeply concerning. (ABC South West WA: Jon Daly)
WorkSafe ordered Talison to complete the review of measures to manage psychosocial hazards at Greenbushes mine and consult with workers by November 20.
It has ordered the review to consider interaction between job demands, worker control, role clarity, organisational change, consultation, leadership behaviours, reporting arrangements and workplace conditions.
Talison expediting safety plan
A Talison spokesperson said work had begun on improving the workplace culture before the improvement notice was issued.
"Improvements have been implemented across a number of areas including clearer expectations for respectful workplace behaviour, increased team capacity, stronger systems and a sitewide program to improve facilities," they said in a statement.
"Further work is planned, leveraging work that others in the industry have successfully trialled, but we have prioritised initiatives to support improving the felt experience of our workforce."
The spokesperson acknowledged the findings of the psychosocial safety survey and improvement notice, and said the safety of its workforce was its priority.
"[We are] working closely with our workforce and the regulator to address the matters which have been raised," the spokesperson said.
The demand for lithium is being driven by batteries and electric cars. (ABC South West: Ruslan Kulski)
"Any improvements we can make on the advice of the regulator to ensure our people continue to be treated with respect, feel safe at work, and can perform at their best, remains a focus for us.
"This includes working with the regulator to fast-track changes and expedite a safety plan that was already in the process of being implemented."
The spokesperson said employees were encouraged to raise concerns through a range of channels and that concerns were taken seriously.
Union calls for tougher action
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union state secretary Steve McCartney said WorkSafe needed to take stronger action.
"The feedback I'm getting is that it sounds pretty toxic, and the company is doing little or nothing to deal with it, except the review that has been there for quite some time," he said.
"Letting the company have a bit of a yarn to itself, and carry on doing a review, without them intervening and saying we need some interim measures up front is a bit soft in my view."
Crushed spodumene is prepared for processing at export at Greenbushes. (ABC South West WA: Anthony Pancia)
Mr McCartney said psychosocial injuries were as serious as physical injuries.
"It affects you at home, it affects you at work," he said.
"Your head isn't where your hands are, so the potential for physical harm is just as active."