FIFO shift workers with good sleep hygiene have better health, research from Perth universities finds

New research from Perth universities has found fly-in, fly-out workers in the mining industry are in desperate need of better sleep hygiene. And the fix could be as simple as integrating education into existing programs on mine sites. Sleep hygiene is a term for the habits and environmental factors that can positively impact sleep, including diet, exercise or the type of mattress or pillow you have. The research out of Edith Cowan University, the University of Western Australia, Melius Consulting and the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science found FIFO workers with better sleep hygiene had better overall health. “Specifically, we found better sleep health in FIFO workers that have a better sleep environment, more regular sleep schedule, and better mental health,” ECU PhD candidate Philipp Beranek said. He said having a regular sleep schedule came up as a “significant aspect” of sleep hygiene for FIFO workers, while comfort factors on-site were less of an issue, with just 15 per cent reporting “frequently or always” having an uncomfortable bedroom. “Shift workers often experience sleep disruptions because they are unable to allocate a constant and specific time for sleeping, and their body clock is often not adjusted for this,” Mr Beranek said. Extreme temperatures in mining regions like the Pilbara or the Goldfields can elevate room temperatures in mining camps, making it difficult for night shift workers to get adequate shut-eye during the day. The study, published in the Journal of Sleep Research, also found the fluctuating nature of FIFO rosters could play a large part in poorer sleep. “It is nearly impossible for shift workers to have consistent sleep schedules when you are on rotating shifts, but workers should aim to have a regular sleep schedule when they are on day shift, a regular sleep schedule for when they are on night shift, and a regular sleep schedule for when they have time off at home,” Mr Beranek said. The researchers suggested employers should consider implementing sleep hygiene education interventions into their existing mental health programs to equip shift workers with the skills to improve their sleep health. Tips to improve sleep hygiene on-site: