Fixing FIFO

The resources sector is making progress in addressing the mental health needs of fly-in, fly-out workers.

Workers in rural and remote mining, resource and construction operations encounter a range of challenges – from harsh conditions and isolation to workplace danger and fatigue, among others. 

Yet what’s not fully factored in to many discussions about the ‘culture’ of fly-in, fly-out work is the mental health and emotional toll such demands can take, and how this may play out in a physical sense. 

The difficulties associated with the FIFO lifestyle are compounded by stress related to the long periods of intense concentration required to operate machinery, where a lapse can result in serious injury or death. 

Typical responses to this type of stress are substance abuse, anxiety, relationship breakdowns, depression, post-traumatic stress disorders and social phobias.

Currently it seems the sector’s playing catch-up, however, dealing with issues after they emerge rather than getting on top of problems before they manifest fully.

Communication

Some of the hesitancy to discuss mental health concerns among FIFO workers can be put down to the resources sector’s historically macho image. But things are looking up.

One organisation piloting the way to help reduce some of the mental and physical issues linked to FIFO work is the Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health.

According to the centre’s CEO, Jennifer Bowers, mental health should be addressed in recruitment, HR, inductions, incident reviews and OH&S policies and practices. 

“These days we are much more aware of mental health than we’ve been in the past, but there is still a stigma associated with mental health problems. Men still find it harder to talk about mental health than women and in the tough, macho world of mining and remote construction, there’s a ‘suck it up, princess’ culture among men,” Dr Bowers says.

“Working in the mining and resources sector in rural and remote Australia is financially rewarding. But it’s also psychologically and emotionally challenging.

“FIFO, compressed rosters, long absences from friends and family and harsh, alienating environments can and do lead to mental health issues, relationship breakdowns, substance abuse and, in extreme cases, suicide.” 

Dr Bowers and her colleagues have developed a long-term preventative mental health and wellbeing strategy called Minds in Mines, which is being implemented at underground mining contractor Byrnecut Australia.

“The program comprises of toolbox talks, mental health crisis management workshops, peer support workshops, the distribution of posters, induction booklets and ‘passports to mental health’ to all employees, along with policy reviews and awareness-raising on-site performances,” Dr Bowers says.  

Byrnecut group safety manager Peter Hallman says mental health is a real factor in safety, productivity and employee wellbeing and he is using the Minds in Mines program at two sites in Western Australia with a view to extending it to all its Australian sites.

“Safety is our priority at Byrnecut,” he says.

“We absolutely understand and accept that someone with a mental health problem is at a higher risk of having an incident. For us, Minds in Mines is about driving a culture shift. It’s about breaking down the ‘harden up’ culture, and we’ll only achieve this with ongoing education and commitment.”

Mr Hallman says the program has helped lift the profile of issues around mental health at Byrnecut sites.  

“It has raised awareness levels and the proactive tools that the program promotes are now in use. That is, the need to speak to someone who has your trust and share your concerns … and consider assistance from outside agencies if this problem escalates beyond talking with your mates,” he says

“The program has helped reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues at a site level. People are opening up about they’re concerns to Jennifer (Bowers) and to me when we travel to sites to continue the program.”   

Site-based managers have been trained to identify the triggers associated with mental health issues. Whereas before the ACRRMH training such issues might have been deemed performance or management concerns, on-site assessments now take a broader perspective. 

Dietary outcomes

Mining companies are also increasingly looking at ways to improve their workers’ food choices.

Among the companies that provide food and support services to the oil and gas, mining and construction sectors is ESS Support Services Worldwide, which has developed a program called Tastelife. 

National Tastelife manager Cat Walker says Tastelife aims to educate miners about making the right nutritional choices while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

“ESS is committed to giving the thousands of residents in its care throughout Australian mining villages the tools to improve their health and lifestyle choices through the delivery of its program, which includes an annual 12-week weight loss challenge,” Ms Walker says.

“Since its inception, Tastelife has seen more than 6,000 participants. Workers participate in activities to increase their awareness about weight gain and improve their overall health, fitness and lifestyle choices through a program of activities coordinated by onsite ESS Activelife coaches.”

She says the biggest improvements in the health and fitness of miners come when they take responsibility for what they eat and drink.

“Health and wellbeing improvements come from the individual deciding to take control personally by focusing on changing their thinking, attitudes and beliefs,” Ms Walker says.

“Companies can provide services, but at the end of the day we need to inspire the individuals to want to use them.”

Among the benefits of a healthy balanced diet and participating in physical activity is improved concentration and decision-making skills.

“Studies prove that healthy bodies have healthy minds and physical exercise along with healthy eating is great medicine for mental illness,” Ms Walker says.