A new report funded by the state government has found fly-in-fly-out workers experience higher levels of burnout, psychological distress and workplace bullying than non-FIFO workers.
The report, Impact of FIFO work arrangements on the mental health and well-being of FIFO workers is one of the most comprehensive studies undertaken in Australia.
Released last week, it found a third, 33 percent experience high levels of psychological distress, compared to only 17 percent of non-FIFO workers.
Read more: FIFO health put into focus
Collie FIFO worker Steve Cashmore said he doesn’t believe depression or anxiety was solely a FIFO issue.
“In the last month I’ve just buried two friends who both died by suicide. One was FIFO who fought depression since he was 20 years of age, ironically the other one never did FIFO but also suffered with depression,” he said.
“Depression is a new social disease. I think it’s a worldwide problem, not just the FIFO industry. We used to do 16 week swings and had very little suicide but had more workplace bullying.”
Mr Cashmore said the report findings of burning out quicker was very much true.
“You do 12 to 12 and a half hour days. Doing that for seven, eight, or 14 days in a row burns you out. You get tired. Night shift is harder because you’re awake at night time, which can make you burn out even quicker,” he said.
He said if the state government was serious about reducing stress levels and helping peoples mental health they would make more permanent employment.
“Nowadays there are guys that work two to three years on site that are still a contractor, they don’t get sick leave, holiday pay, if they don’t work they don’t make money. You can’t get a house loan because you haven’t got a full-time job,” Mr Cashmore said.
“My wife is on casual employment and has been for 13 years, so if she loses her job would hurt us financially.”
In the last month I’ve just buried two friends who both died by suicide. One was FIFO who fought depression since he was 20 years of age, ironically the other one never did FIFO but also suffered with depression.
- Collie FIFO worker Steve Cashmore
More than 3,000 FIFO workers and their families participated in the report, which was driven in partnership with industry, unions and researchers from Curtin University.
The report found many workers already use a range of strategies to manage their mental health including maintaining regular communication with family and friends while on-site, and seeking support if needed.
Mental Health Minister Roger Cook said the state government agrees more needs to be done.
“We hope the industry, unions and FIFO workers themselves will adopt the report recommendations, on site, and at home, to help improve the mental health and well-being of all FIFO workers, and their families.”
UnionsWA Owen Whittle assistant secretary Owen Whittle said change must aim at prevention.
We hope the industry, unions and FIFO workers themselves will adopt the report recommendations, on site, and at home, to help improve the mental health and well-being of all FIFO workers, and their families.
- Mental Health Minister Roger Cook
“One of the major, preventable factors contributing to poor metal health are the inhumane rosters that frequently have FIFO workers on site for 28 consecutive days before having a break and those breaks include long hours of flying to and from remote sites,” he said.
“The standard for accommodation is often poor, workers have to share different accommodation across shifts, in doing so denying them a place to live while working that they might build to make their own.
“Of course, the poor mental health of FIFO workers also takes a real toll on their partners, children, other family and friends.
“It has been a choice of the resources industry to shift towards greater levels of FIFO work and we can no longer ignore that urgent action is needed to address the psychological health impact of this work.”
There are 18 recommendations from the report, including rosters and shift patterns that provide better rest time, permanent rooms at accommodation sites and building local community connections.
Of course, the poor mental health of FIFO workers also takes a real toll on their partners, children, other family and friends.
- UnionsWA Owen Whittle assistant secretary Owen Whittle
The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety is also currently drafting a code of practice for mentally healthy workplaces for FIFO workers in the resources and construction sectors in WA. It is anticipated by the Department of WA that the code will reflect the outcomes of the research.
To see the report, visit mhc.wa.gov.au.
If you or a loved one need help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au, or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or at www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.