Mining giant BHP considers making Covid-19 jab compulsory for staff, begins first ever workplace jab trial

Mining giant BHP is considering making the Covid-19 jab compulsory across its sites and offices just as it becomes the first resource company to trial workplace vaccination.

MINING giant BHP is considering making the Covid-19 jab compulsory across its sites and offices just as it becomes the first resource company to trial workplace vaccination.

The resources company, which employs an estimated 45,000 people in Australia, is the latest in a growing list of organisations considering or requiring staff to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

BHP minerals Australia president Edgar Basto said the science was clear that widespread vaccination saved lives, and it was important for staff to protect themselves, their families and the regions they work in against Covid-19.

But Mr Basto said the company respected “individual choice” with BHP to speak to its staff before making a decision in September.

The mining giant will also become the first resource company to administer Covid-19 jabs in the workplace, under an official trial supported by the government’s Covid-19 vaccine taskforce.

Registered nurse Jane Hunter prepares to vaccinate Moranbah resident Lisa Thies at the vaccination hub BHP is supporting in Moranbah, Queensland. 27 Aug 2021, Covid-19 Vaccination Hub. Photo: Daryl Wright

Workers at BHP’s Mt Arthur Coal mine, in NSW, will be able to get the jab on-site from September 2 with the trial set to craft a blueprint for widespread workplace vaccinations in Australia.

According to Mr Basto BHP has been able to vaccinate nearly 90 per cent in areas where it operates in the South American nation of Chile through workplace and community jab hubs.

The company has set up a jab hub in Queensland’s mining heartland of Moranbah and is also working with South Australian authorities to set up a mobile vaccination clinic at Olympic Dam from early September.

Vaccine rollout lead Lieutenant-General John Frewen, following a roundtable with Australia’s top business minds in July, had flagged roping in the private sector to improve access to the Covid-19 vaccine.

“As we get into those later months of October, November, December, with the supply that we will have, it will be really important for people to have a more diverse range of ways to access the vaccine,” he said at the time.

Lt Gen Frewen said BHP’s workplace jab hub was an “important part of the overall campaign”.

“This is a great initiative. Workplace vaccinations are an important part of the overall campaign.

“We have seen significant interest from business, community and sporting groups and we will continue to add further groups as the vaccine supply ramps up,” he said.