Enhancing the health and well-being of FIFO and office workers

The mining industry in Australia has some of the most advanced health and safety measures for its workers, particularly for FIFO (Fly-In-Fly-Out) employees. These workers have access to significant advancements in medical care and wellness facilities for both mental and physical health. Health experts are becoming valuable assets in this industry, and mining companies are increasingly outsourcing opportunities to enhance health and well-being. Improvements are continually being made in city offices and mining camps to foster a sense of wellness away from home.

Despite these positive developments, NextMove Wellness and Physiotherapy, established in 2007, believes that FIFO and office workers still experience sub-optimal health and well-being due to a "lack of connection between away and home life." We believe that achieving better health metrics offsite and outside of work can positively impact the operational resilience needed for future safety.

Background

NextMove Wellness and Physiotherapy aims to make human performance and well-being limitless. From 2009 to 2021, we have engaged in various workplace opportunities and extended our services to over 15  sites in Western Australia, focusing on injury reduction and promoting overall wellness. Feedback from participants has shown significant benefits from our programs. As a result, we have established wellness clinics in large company buildings through new business partnerships to improve employee well-being.

In 2024, NextMove launched the NextMove Wellness Clinic for remote communities. This new division addresses the high number of FIFO workers who engage in insufficient physical activity, a concern highlighted by James et al. (2018) due to its link with mental health decline. A Western Australian parliamentary report also raised concerns about suicide risk among FIFO workers, with 1 in 5 males (aged 24-44) reporting mental health issues annually.

Research by Collado-Mateo et al. (2021) found that health conditions in the FIFO industry result in annual productivity costs exceeding $43 million per 1000 workers. Recommendations from this report emphasized the need for high-quality, reliable, and accessible technology to facilitate communication between workers and their homes.

Increasing Women in the Mining Workforce

At NextMove, we are committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, especially in industries like mining where women are underrepresented. Our services address the unique challenges women face in the mining workforce, providing tailored physiotherapy, wellness programs, and support. By promoting a healthier and more inclusive environment, we help attract and retain talented women, contributing to a more diverse and dynamic workforce. Partner with NextMove to demonstrate your commitment to gender diversity and the well-being of all employees.

The Solution

NextMove has introduced a new service promoting a Continuous System of Coaching to enhance the "away and home life connection." This service aims to improve accessibility, provide useful data metrics, and engage more FIFO workers to enhance current best practices in health and well-being.

Based on our experience in Western Australia's mining industry, we propose targeting 30% of the workforce initially—those who are eager to be helped—followed by close monitoring of the next interest group.

Our Service Includes Three Key Components:

1. Educational Seminars: Offering coaching through informative seminars.

2. Face-to-Face Consultations: Providing personal consultations for individualized care.

3. Online Coaching Platform: An online platform that allows workers to connect their life between home and work, offering ownership and opportunities for self-improvement. Tailored programs can be tracked using our wellness app.

Conclusion

NextMove is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of FIFO and office workers in the mining industry. Our comprehensive services promote a stronger connection between work and home life, improving overall wellness and productivity. Partner with us to create a healthier, more supportive workplace that values and nurtures its employees.

Contact Us at NextMove - Where Wellness Meets Work Excellence.

Take the next step towards a healthier, more productive workforce with NextMove. Let’s work together to create an environment where your employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to give their best every day.

References

Asare, B. Y., Makate, M., Powell, D., Kwasnicka, D., & Robinson, S. (2022). Cost of health-related work productivity loss among Fly-In Fly-Out mining workers in Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(16), 10056. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610056

Boles, M., Pelletier, B., & Lynch, W. (2004). The relationship between health risks and work productivity. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 46(7), 737-745.

Burton, W. N., Chen, C. Y., Conti, D. J., Schultz, A. B., Pransky, G., & Edington, D. W. (2005). The association of health risks with on-the-job productivity. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 47(8), 769-777.

Collado-Mateo, D., Lavín-Pérez, A. M., Peñacoba, C., Del Coso, J., Leyton-Román, M., Luque-Casado, A., ... & Amado-Alonso, D. (2021). Key factors associated with adherence to physical exercise in patients with chronic diseases and older adults: An umbrella review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042023

Jacobs, G. G., Saffioti, R., Freeman, J. M., & Johnson, R. F. (2015). The impact of FIFO work practices on Mental Health, Final Report. Retrieved from http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament

Moreira, S., Criado, M. B., Santos, P. C., Ferreira, M. S., Gonçalves, C., & Machado, J. (2022). Occupational Health: Physical Activity, Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Quality of Life in Computer Workers: A Narrative Review. Healthcare, 10(12), 2457.

Street, T. D., & Lacey, S. J. (2019). Accounting for employee health: The productivity cost of leading health risks. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 30(4), 228-237.

Wilkinson, L. (2022, March 14). Mining companies are shifting their focus to supporting employee well-being. News at Curtin | Curtin University, Perth, Australia. Retrieved from https://www.curtin.edu.au/news/media-release/mining-companies-are-shifting-their-focus-to-supporting-employee-well-being/