Mental

illness in fly-in fly-out workers

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fly-in fly-out (FIFO) work practices in Australia occur amongst various
professions primarily associated within the resources industry as well as
medical and related health services. Following the recession of the 1980s,
Australia has experienced a resources boom that has seen thousands of
families impacted by FIFO work.[1] The FIFO lifestyle often sees workers
on a scheduled roster flying to remote locations. Workers live in serviced
accommodation, working long days.[1] While working in the mining and
resource sector is financially rewarding, the type of lifestyle it leads is far
different than the life workers have at home. As a result of this type of
work, there is an impact on individuals, couples and family units that can
account for the emotional health and well-being seen in workers.[1]

The multibillion-dollar Galilee basin coal mine, rail and port development in Queensland

Contents
[hide]
1Background of mining in Australia
2Effects of mental health in workers
2.1Types of stress experience in FIFO
workers
2.2Factors influencing FIFO mental health
and suicide
3Challenges of the FIFO work system
3.1Rosters and fatigue
3.2Workplace culture
3.3Personal relationships
4References
Background of mining in Australia[edit]
Australia is one of the leading mining nations in the world, with large scale
extraction of mineral sands, brown coal, nickel, zinc, lead, and uranium.[2]
Increases in worldwide demand for resources have resulted in Australia's
annual mining production has more than doubling in the 20 years up to
2008.[2] There are approximately 365 operating mines in Australia, and as
for the employment of up to 269,000 people, the mining and resource
industry contributes 121.5 billion dollars to the economy. Thus plays a
significant role to Australias wealth.[3]

Effects of mental health in workers[edit]

Mental health has been described by the World Health
Organisation (WHO) as a state of wellbeing in which every individual
realises his or her potential, can cope with normal stresses of life, can
work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her
or his community[4] (2014). It is acknowledged that people working in
rural and remote mining and resource operations confront psychological
and emotional demands that will create unique challenges for both men
and women.

The World Health Organization (WHO) logo. The organisation was officially established in 1948 by
the United Nations

The key mental health issues across the resource mining sector includes
feelings such as isolation and loneliness, due to the remoteness of living
on-site and from family and friends.[5] Stress, anxiety and depression are
major factors which are likely to influence employment performance and
antisocial conduct. This is predicted to get worse for some people during
the transition period from home to work, and can potentially increase the
risk of self-harm and suicide.[5]
Types of stress experience in FIFO workers[edit]
Along with the stresses of being away from home, other stresses FIFO
workers experience include:[6]
On-site physical exertion and fatigue
On-site extreme heat
Staying hydrated
Adapting to night shifts and between day and
night shifts
Job insecurity
Following on-site safety rules
Transitioning back home
Maintaining home (i.e. gardens, bills) during
work absences
Minimal communication and/or internet access
on some sites
Factors influencing FIFO mental health and suicide[edit]
Employment, living and working conditions
Physical health, fatigue and sleep problems
Family imbalance
Substance misuse
Financial issues
Domestic violence
Sexual health issues
Male dominance in workplace culture
Non effective coping strategies

Challenges of the FIFO work system[edit]

Rosters and fatigue[edit]
The FIFO lifestyle is based upon a roster, typically a fortnight on and one
week off. However, more remote mining sites require month on and month
off rosters, attributable to the incremented time and costs of flying to and
from remote areas. As expected, FIFO workers are implemented work
long shifts, usually ranging from 12- up to 18-hour shifts.
As reported by Meredith, Rush & Robinson (2014) it is notable that the
longer work length than to time on leave has more deleterious effects on
the workers' wellbeing and can lead to a vulnerable mental state.
[7] Physical health allows for a positive mental health as well as the
capability to handle the demands of FIFO work. The length of 12 hour or
more shifts with short breaks, make is arduous for workers to relax and
involve themselves in effective coping strategies such as getting enough
sleep, exercising and socialising, in dealing with daily stresses. In
conclusion occupational fatigue may occur as frequent recovery is
confined.[5]
Workplace culture[edit]
On-site mining workplace culture is considered a problem in reinforcing
positive mental health and seeking support behavior.[7] Unfortunately many
workers do not seek formal help due to the general outlook held by the
wider population of fear and stigma in seeking support for mental health
issues.
Male dominancy significantly contributes to the mining workplace culture,
where females may experience tensions fitting within the FIFO civilisation.
The masculine culture consequently effects the relationships with other
workers, negative feelings suppression or bullying behavior that is a
negative subside of poor mental health.[5] Commendations include creating
a fair and just workplace environment for both men and women, for
instance The Australian Mines and Metal Sodality are taking action to
improve the amount of women to 20% by 2020.[5]
Workers who do not seek emotional support may experience adverse
impacts and result in poor work output and increased isolation. An
organisational culture is vital, in order to proposer relevant approaches for
workers in acknowledging when to seek help.
Personal relationships[edit]
Over the past 20 years FIFO had become a prevalent mining industry
practice, however on the subject matter there is a scarcity of Australian
research. According to Arnold (1995) studies resulted in FIFO being
problematic for some families, in an analysis of the impacts on the lifestyle
and families of workers.[8] The Australian FIFO personnel indicate the
benefits of leisure, access to services and facilities swell as friends and
extended family from relatively high earnings from working in the industry.
However, observation conducted by Gillies et al. (1997) involved surveying
fifteen Australian FIFO operations and out of a study sample of 227
employees, a total of 30% employees stated their families were not in
favour of the FIFO lifestyle.[8] Additionally results included 25% of
employees believed their family relationships had been earnestly
disadvantaged by the FIFO employment. [8]
The structure of rostered schedules and continuous cycles such as four
weeks away and one week home, the long separations and short
homecomings provoke an increased amount of conflict between work and
home. In accordance to Torkington, Larkins & Sen Gupta (2011) Miners
reported that when they were away their partner described: being upset
or lonely; the stresses of dealing with busy roles, such as parenting,
alone; the challenge of changing routines; and having to managing
practical tasks (e.g. mechanical repairs), which fell outside their normal
role. (2011). As a result, the family structure is altered, especially for
those with younger children.[9]

References[edit]
1. ^ Jump up to:a b c "Fly-in fly-out workforce practices in
Australia: The effects on children and family relationships -
History and definitions | Child Family Community
Australia". aifs.gov.au. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
2. ^ Jump up to:a b "Australia's Identified Mineral Resources -
Geoscience Australia". www.ga.gov.au. Retrieved 2015-09-
02.
3. Jump up^ "Mining year book Australia,
2012". www.abs.gov.au. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
4 . Jump up^ "WHO | Mental health: a state of well-
being". www.who.int. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
5. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e Vojnovi, Philippa
(2014). Submission to the Health and Education Standing
Committee of the Legislative Assembly Inquiry into mental
illness in Fly-In FlyOut workers. Perth, Australia.: FIFO
Australian Community of Excellence. pp. 58.
6. Jump up^ FIFO/DIDO Mental Health Research Report
2013 (PDF). Western Australia: Lifeline WA. 2013. p. 77.
7. ^ Jump up to:a b Inquiry into mental health impacts of fly-in,
fly-out worker arrangements. West Perth,Australia:
Australian Association of Social Workers. 2014. pp. 45.
8. ^ Jump up to:a b c Kaczmarek, Elizabeth A.; Sibbel, Anne
M. (2008-08-01). "The psychosocial well-being of children
 from Australian military and fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) mining
families". Community, Work & Family. 11 (3): 297
312. ISSN 1366-8803. doi:10.1080/13668800801890129.
9. Jump up^ Torkington, Amanda May; Larkins, Sarah;
Gupta, Tarun Sen (2011-06-01). "The psychosocial
impacts of fly-in fly-out and drive-in drive-out mining on
mining employees: A qualitative study". Australian Journal
of Rural Health. 19 (3): 135141. ISSN 1440-
1584. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1584.2011.01205.x.
Categories:
Mental health in Australia
Commuting
Ethically disputed working conditions
Economy of Western Australia
Mining in Australia
Economy of Queensland
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This page was last edited on 26 May 2017, at 09:10.
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