BHP’s new random search policy for FIFO workers labelled ‘draconian’ by Western Mine Workers Alliance

Fly-in, fly-out workers on BHP sites are railing against a policy that allows the company to conduct random searches of bags, rooms and vehicles in search of contraband. The Western Mine Workers Alliance has labelled the policy “draconian” and says it opens more avenues for the type of harassment the company is trying to stamp out on its remote sites. The union claims BHP has threatened to withhold accommodation for workers and contractors if they don’t agree to the policy, which it claims is an invasion of their rights. A BHP spokesman said the company had updated its “long-standing” village search rules when it introduced its new four standard drinks limit in July. He said the policy was updated to include isolated cases where there was reason to believe that a worker might be in possession of full-strength alcohol. “We are committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of our people, and having reasonable controls in place helps achieve this,” the spokesman said. However WMWA spokesperson Greg Busson said BHP’s policy was “wide open to abuse”. “This appears to be a blank cheque to any petty manager with a vendetta to bully and harass a worker they don’t like,” he said. “There are absolutely zero restrictions on how or why these searches can take place. BHP reckons it should be an any-time, any-reason sort of affair. “I wonder how the office workers in capital cities would like it if their bosses just decided one day they could rummage around in their backpacks or handbags? “So far we are aware of no protections about how searches of personal belongings are undertaken, including who is present or training on how appropriate searches can be conducted.” The new alcohol and search policy comes comes as BHP tries to crack down on sexual harassment and assaults on its mine sites, after a spate of such incidents was revealed by The West. The West Australian understands BHP seeks consent from a worker when a search is undertaken and the searches are carried out by a senior staff member and security guard in the presence of the individual concerned. The matter is escalated if a worker refuses a search or refuses to open and show items in question. There have been four allegations of sexual assault at BHP WA mine sites, including a FIFO worker being charged with two counts of rape over an incident at the company’s Mulla Mulla village in the Pilbara last November. BHP is the first company scheduled to appear before a landmark parliamentary inquiry into sexual harassment in WA’s resources sector this week, as MPs plan more hearings than first expected amid intensifying public scrutiny of the issue. BHP WA iron ore asset president Brandon Craig and Nickel West asset president Jessica Farrell will face questions tomorrow on behalf of the company. At BHP’s London annual meeting last Thursday, chief executive Mike Henry said the company had boosted its education and on-site security initiatives with a further $300 million committed for security improvements in 2022. WMWA spokesperson Daniel Walton said the union was demanding clarity from BHP on its search policy. “Given the horror stories coming out of the sector about harassment, especially of women, this is the last policy BHP or any other employer should be introducing,” he said. “Our union is recommending that employees do not give their express consent to BHP over this policy.” Mr Walton said the union agreed BHP had the right to search its own property, but not personal belongings. “Of course we recognise the pressure workers — especially casual contract workers – are under to sign away their rights when the boss stands over them. But that’s why we are fighting back as union and demanding better.”