The mining industry is encountering difficulty attracting and retaining skilled workers. The problem is not isolated to the Australian mining sector. The loss of experience and knowledge threatens the ability of the industry to mine safely, as well as threatening the capability of the industry to provide future metal and energy needs.
The Attractive Work Program is underpinned by the principles of Human-Centred Design (HCD) which places the needs to people at the centre of the design process. Originally developed within ergonomics as a process focused on the design of products and services, the principles are equally applicable to macroergonomics, that is the design of overall work systems. HCD utilises a participatory ergonomics approach, which means actively involving workers in designing workplace changes. The key assumptions are that: workers are the experts; and, given appropriate knowledge, skills, tools, facilitation, resources and encouragement, they are best placed to identify and analyse problems, and to develop and implement solutions (Burgess-Limerick, 2018).
To accomplish health, safety, and risk management goals from a human aspect, the program looks at research questions across multiple areas, including:
- Mining automation human-systems integration
- Selection, training & competency assessment, system deployment
- Human centred design
- Safety and Health
- Risk management
There are many potential issues, both social and technical, contributing to the attractiveness of the mining industry for current employees. Different issues may contribute to the attitudes of prospective employees. Current research utilising a HCD approach in combination with the Appreciative Enquiry Framework is being directed towards understanding why people are choosing not to pursue a career in the mining industry, and why workers are choosing to leave the industry earlier than expected. The research is being undertaken with funding from the Office of the Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health Queensland. There is a collaborative research partnership with colleagues at Lulea University of Technology, Sweden.
Projects within this program
- Human-Centred Design of an Attractive, Healthy, and Safe Mining Industry for All
- Mining Equipment Human Factors Design for Workforce Diversity
- Human Factors Design for Diversity within an EMESRT Control Framework
Research lead
Dr Danellie Lynas
View Danellie Lynas' research profile
Key Researchers
Professor Robin Burgess-Limerick
View Robin Burgess-Limerick's research profile
View Maureen Hassall's profile
- Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) – funding for projects C28034: Mining Equipment Human Factors Design for Workforce Diversity, C34001: Human Factors Design for Diversity within an EMSERT Control Framework.
- Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT)
- Human Work Sciences EKTS, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden
- Office of the Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RHSQ)
Contact us
Get in touch to learn more about our program.
Dr Dr Danellie Lynas
The Attractive Work Program sits within the Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre (MISHC).