Page 26 - Inclusion and diversity – Partnering for change

Our stories

Mining equipment that’s more safe

and inclusive for everyone

“The benefits of design changes driven by inclusion and

diversity are not only vital to attracting diverse talent – they
result in better design decisions for our equipment overall,
which our whole workforce benefits from.”

Mark Pickett, Vice President, Mining Procurement, BHP

The labour intensive nature
of operating and maintaining
heavy-duty mining equipment
has historically required great
physical strength, or presented
other physical barriers to
performing these roles.

To address this, BHP and
Caterpillar have been working
together for more than two years,
as part of a series of ongoing
design changes to Caterpillar
mining equipment. This long-term
partnership aims to accelerate
and support gender equality “The benefits of design changes history of supporting diversity
across the resources industry, driven by inclusion and diversity and inclusion efforts within their
and be more safe and inclusive are not only vital to attracting company and supply chain.
for all. diverse talent – they result in
better design decisions for our “Enabled by technology, our
Mark Pickett, Vice President, equipment overall, which our design philosophy includes
Mining Procurement at BHP whole workforce benefits from.” creating machines that allow a
explained the significance diverse workforce to safely and
of the partnership. Caterpillar’s mining equipment is comfortably operate and service
a familiar sight across BHP’s global our equipment,” said Rob.
“Whether it’s redesigning the operations, with more than 3,000
operator’s cabin to be more pieces of equipment in use – from ”By listening to our customers
ergonomic and inclusive, reducing 360-tonne mining trucks and like BHP, we are able to design
manual handling requirements excavators to large dozers and machines that not only meet
for equipment maintainers motor graders. their productivity and efficiency
through designing lighter parts, requirements, but equally as
or improving accessibility for Rob Hoenes, Vice President of important their safety and
maintenance personnel, Caterpillar Caterpillar’s Material Handling diversity expectations as well.”
has undertaken efforts that align and Underground division said
with BHP’s inclusion and diversity Caterpillar has a longstanding
opportunities,” said Mark.

BHP Inclusion and diversity – Partnering for change 24 February 2020