BHP weighs up mandatory vaccinations

BHP has kicked off a trial of on-site COVID jabs at Mount Arthur coal mine and is actively assessing vaccination as a condition of entry to its workplaces across Australia. BHP president minerals Australia Edgar Basto said the science was clear that widespread COVID-19 vaccination saved lives. “As a necessary control to protect the health and safety of our people and the communities where we operate, we are actively assessing vaccination as a condition of entry to our Australian sites and offices," he said. “We have an obligation to ensure our people are safe when they are at work, and to support the health of the regional communities where we operate. We respect individual choice and we will engage closely with our people as we move forward with this work.” BHP expects to complete its technical assessment in September, with a policy likely to come into effect in early 2022, once people have had a reasonable opportunity to be fully vaccinated. The on-site vaccination trial at Mount Arthur in the Upper Hunter region is the Australian resources sector’s first official pilot supported by the National COVID-19 Vaccination Taskforce. As part of its broader support for national vaccinations, BHP is also funding a new vaccine hub in Moranbah which opened to the Central Queensland community from Monday this week. It is also working with the SA Health Department to establish a mobile clinic at Olympic Dam to help bolster vaccination rates in the Roxby Downs region, and is working with the WA Health Department to support vaccine roll-outs in the Pilbara region. The company said the new measures were in addition to the controls that had been in place at in BHP workplaces since the start of the pandemic, to protect people and communities and keep operating safely. BHP has also helped to protect the vulnerable in its workforce and in communities through the $50 million Vital Resources Fund, and has provided support for small and local businesses. “We have to work together in the fight against the COVID-19 Delta strain in Australia, and we are determined to play our part,” Mr Basto said.' “In line with the road map agreed by National Cabinet, we recognise that the path forward is through widespread vaccination, and we are looking at a range of practical ways to help Australia safely reopen its borders and its economy while protecting communities and workforces. “The measures we already have in place are helping to keep our people safe and our operations running, and we hope our trials and broader program of support will help Australia take further steps forward in tackling the virus."

BHP weighs up mandatory vaccinations

Industry Queensland

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