Case Study: Supporting a Global Mining Services Company Assess Psychosocial Risks

Creating Safer Workplaces: Supporting Kal Tire with Psychosocial Risk Management

At Spring Safety Consultants, our mission is to help businesses create healthier, safer workplaces where their teams can thrive. Recently, we partnered with a global mining services client Kal Tire to address psychosocial risks in their workplace, leveraging our expertise and innovative tools to deliver tailored solutions.

Understanding the Challenge

Our Canadian client recognised the importance of addressing psychosocial hazards, especially with the increased focus on mental health and well-being in the workplace.

In Canada, 41% of organisations have adopted mental health standards programs to proactively address these challenges. This not only mitigates legal risks but also fosters an environment where employees can thrive (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2017).

Meanwhile, in Australia, a compelling survey revealed that 91% of workers believe it is crucial to safeguard psychological health in the workplace. Despite this strong consensus, there’s a concerning disconnect: about half of these employees feel their workplace fails to meet this standard (Beyond Blue, 2014).

The Australian business arm of Kal Tire approached us to refresh their approach to Psychosocial Risk Management.

Our Approach

Commencing with the People at Work Survey Tool, a free and validated tool designed to assess and identify psychosocial risks in the workplace. The goal was to not only gather actionable insights but also to integrate these into their existing risk management framework effectively.

We took a comprehensive approach, blending strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and Wolters Kluwer BowtieXP software to achieve meaningful outcomes for the client.

1. Facilitating the People at Work Survey Tool

We collaborated closely with the client to roll out the People at Work survey across their workforce. This included:

• Educating leadership and workers about the survey’s purpose and benefits.
• Ensuring a high response rate by fostering trust and transparency around the process.
• Our Registered Psychologist Sonia Ceglinski analysed the survey results to identify key psychosocial hazards and risk factors impacting workers.

2. Updating the Psychosocial Risk Register

Using the insights gathered from the survey, we updated the client’s Risk Register to reflect:

• Newly identified psychosocial hazards, revealed in the survey findings.
• New risk controls with clear examples.
• Our HSEQ Consulting Manager Kelsey Baker re-organised the controls into “P-HOC” Psychosocial hierarchy of controls (Kjaergaard, et al, 2024).
• Recommended further actions to mitigate risks and improve employee well-being.

3. Conducting BowTie Analyses with Wolters Kluwer BowTieXP Software

To further explore and manage the identified hazards, we facilitated three BowTie analyses using the industry-leading BowTieXP software. This process allowed us to:

• Visualise the pathways leading to psychosocial risks.
• Identify and map out preventive and mitigating controls.
• Engage the client’s team in collaborative discussions, ensuring the solutions were practical and implementable.

One standout feature of the BowtieXP software that we love, is the ability to place “post it notes” to remind the end user of key areas to unpack and investigate post workshop.

4. Psychological Health and Safety Management Plan

Finally, we integrated all strategies into a comprehensive plan designed by our Managing Director Sophia Rossow , that identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks to psychological health while providing structured support mechanisms. This ensures alignment with organisational goals and legal obligations, an easy to read reference document for all key stakeholders.

The Results

Our work resulted in several key outcomes for the client:

1. Improved Risk Awareness: Leadership gained a deeper understanding of psychosocial risks and their impact on workplace health and safety.
2. Enhanced Risk Management Framework: The updated Risk Register provided a robust foundation for ongoing monitoring and mitigation of psychosocial hazards.
3. Actionable Insights: The BowTie analyses helped the client visualise their risks and prioritise targeted interventions.
4. A Healthier Workplace: By addressing psychosocial hazards proactively, the client demonstrated their commitment to fostering a supportive and thriving work environment.

Partnering for Success

At Spring Safety Consultants, we understand that every workplace is unique, and so are its challenges. By tailoring our approach to the client’s needs and combining proven tools like the People at Work survey and BowTieXP software, we were able to deliver measurable value.

If you’re looking to improve your workplace’s health and safety, especially in managing psychosocial risks, we’re here to help.

Contact us today to learn how we can support your business in creating safer, healthier workplaces.

Check out the free resources below.

Reference

Beyond Blue. (2014). State of workplace mental health in Australia. Retrieved from https://www.headsup.org.au

BowTie Suite | Wolters Kluwer. (n.d.). BowTieXP software. Retrieved from https://www.wolterskluwer.com

Kj?rgaard, A., Rudolf, E. M., Palmqvist, J., Jakobsen, M. E., & Nguyen Ajslev, J. Z. (2024). The psychosocial hierarchy of controls: Effectively reducing psychosocial hazards at work. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.23694

Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2017). Case Study Research Project findings: An investment that keeps on giving. Mental Health Commission of Canada. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca

People at Work. (n.d.). People at Work survey tool. Retrieved from https://www.peopleatwork.gov.au