The Australian mining industry is valued at over 352 billion Australian dollars. It encompasses over 350 operational mining sites producing commodities such as iron ore, coal, lithium, etc. To maximise returns, mining operations often run 24/7/365. Many companies employ a fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) work model, where employees travel from major cities or towns to the mining site, live in portable accommodations, and work shifts lasting 7 to 21 days. Shifts typically involve 10-13 hours of work per day, alternating between day and night shifts. This demanding schedule can lead to sleep deprivation, resulting in fatigue, safety incidents, poor mental health, and increased illness.
Despite its significance, there is limited research on sleep habits and behaviours within the mining industry in Australia and globally. During a recent symposium I co-chaired with Dr. Gemma Maisey at the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH), we noted that only 13 studies globally have explored sleep and fatigue in the mining sector. The key findings from these studies indicate:
- Both individual and organisational factors influence fatigue and sleep loss.
- There is limited understanding of sleep habits, sleep disorders, shift design, roster structures, fatigue risk management, and education for shiftworkers in mining.
- Fatigue risk management is a holistic process that interacts with other safety systems.
- Managing fatigue should be integrated into an organisation’s broader Safety Management System to systematically evaluate, mitigate, and manage fatigue-related risks.
To address this research gap, Philipp Beranek, a PhD candidate at Edith Cowan University and scientific adviser at Melius Consulting, along with myself, Dr Travis Cruickshank, and Dr Mitchell Turner, conducted a study examining the relationship between sleep hygiene practices and sleep health in the mining industry. This study, “Better Sleep Hygiene is Associated with Better Sleep Health in Mining Shift Workers in Australia,” was recently published in the Journal of Sleep Research.
Our study involved 470 shiftworkers, making it the largest research effort in the mining industry. Notably, 28% of participants were female, representing the highest female participation rate in mining-related sleep research. Data were collected using validated instruments and health/demographic metrics:
- Sleep Hygiene Index
- Sleep Health Index
Key findings include
- The average age of participants was 39±12 years, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 28±5
- The Sleep Health Index and Sleep Hygiene Index scores were 76±15 and 30±7, respectively
- Shiftworkers exhibited poor sleep hygiene, which correlated with poor sleep health
- However, those with good sleep health benefited from:
- Consistency and routine in their sleep schedules (e.g., maintaining regular sleep patterns during day and night shifts)
- Optimising their sleep environment for better rest
- Better mental health overall
This study underscores the critical need for education on sleep hygiene, shiftwork management, and sleep health promotion among shiftworkers. As a result of this study and our consulting work, we recommend the following:
- Share Tips for Better Sleep: Share practical advice, such as the Australian Sleep Health Foundation’s free tips for better sleep. Access them here.
- Ensure the Sleep Environment is adequate for rest and recovery after day and night shifts. Read more here https://meliusconsulting.com.au/how-to-set-up-a-sleep-environment/
- Provide Education on Sleep Hygiene: Equip shiftworkers with knowledge about sleep hygiene and strategies for managing sleep and shiftwork. Melius Consulting offers an online course, Sleep and Thrive: Essential Strategies for Fatigue Management, available here.
- Practical Resources: Explore our latest book, A Guide for Sleep Health and Shiftwork: Practical Strategies for Individuals and Organisations, available on Amazon.
If you would like to contact us, get in touch at info@meliusconsulting.com.au
References
Beranek, P., Dunican, I. C., Cruickshank, T., & Turner, M. (2025). Better sleep hygiene is associated with better sleep health in mining shift workers in Australia. Journal of Sleep Research, e14457. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.14457