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- WA has mandated FIFO and local workers on mining and resource sites in WA, as well as people who work in remote operations, to be vaccinated
- Workers must have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by December 1, 2021, and be fully vaccinated by January 1, 2022
- The obligation applies to any FIFO worker in WA, in mining, oil and gas, and exploration, as well as visitors to these operations
- It will also involve personnel in other mission-critical operating areas, such as distant operations
- The decision to require COVID-19 vaccination for workers in the resources industry follows similar regulations in other areas
Western Australia has mandated COVID-19 vaccines for its resources industry, with employees having to take their first dose by December and be fully vaccinated by the new year.
FIFO and local workers on mining and resource sites in WA, as well as people who work in remote operations or run critical infrastructures such as remote train and port control, must have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by December 1, 2021, and be fully vaccinated by January 1, 2022.
The obligation applies to any FIFO worker in WA, in mining, oil and gas, and exploration, as well as visitors to these operations and any resources sector employees who operate at regional and distant mine sites.
It will also involve personnel in other mission-critical operating areas, such as distant operations, such as a remote operator of a Hedland mining train stationed in Perth.
The decision to require COVID-19 vaccination for workers in the resources industry follows similar regulations in other areas like as ports, transport, freight and logistics, healthcare, and aged care.
“We’ve worked with industry along the way and what is not lost on all of us is that because the resources sector was able to operate during the height of the pandemic, Western Australians have benefited and enjoyed freedoms other places in the country cannot,” WA Premier Mark McGowan said.
“As a result of the resources sector being able to continue their operations safely this has created dividends for the entire nation.
“To all the impacted workers who have done their share throughout the pandemic, stay the course and heed the health advice. I’m urging you to take this next step and get the COVID vaccine now.”
In announcing the mandatory vaccinations, the government noted that workers in the resources industry may come into contact with Aboriginal people from remote areas, increasing the possibility that COVID-19 will infiltrate a community from an infected worker.
The sector also employs the most Aboriginal people in the region.
“If a resources worker became infected with COVID-19 and the virus was then transmitted to one of our remote Aboriginal communities where people are very vulnerable to the illness, the consequences would be disastrous,” Health Minister Roger Cook said.
“We want to avoid that dreadful scenario and ensure all Western Australians are protected.
“So, my message for resources sector workers is ‘Roll up for WA’ – and do your bit to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community.”
Employers will be responsible for collecting and maintaining records of vaccinated personnel, and, as with other obligatory vaccination requirements, there will be options for exemptions for certified medical reasons.
WA presently lags all other states in terms of vaccination rates, with 50.4 per cent of the over 16 population completely vaccinated.
