👷♂️ From the ORIEMS FIT Research Digest — we break down real university research into plain English, so FIFO workers like you can learn fast, feel better, and maybe even earn more.
This study, from one of Australia’s top health universities, looks at the real cost of poor sleep, stress, diet, and other health issues in FIFO mining.
Prefer digging into the full research yourself? The link to the original study is at the bottom.
❓Who Did This Research and When?
This study was done in 2022 by health experts from:
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Curtin University (WA, Australia)
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University of Aberdeen (UK)
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University of Melbourne, and more.
These are highly respected universities known for public health and mining workforce studies.
❓Who Paid for the Study?
The study didn’t sell any product or brand. It was published in a public science journal, meaning it’s independent, peer-reviewed, and open access. You can read it for free.
❓What Is This Study Really About?
They wanted to know:
“How much money is lost when FIFO mining workers feel unhealthy — things like poor sleep, stress, fatigue, smoking, or bad diet?”
❓Who Were the Participants?
216 FIFO mining workers across Australia — mostly men aged 25 to 44 — filled out detailed health surveys. They worked 12-hour shifts, often away from home for 8–14 days straight.
❓How Did They Measure It?
They didn’t just ask “How do you feel?”
They used official tools to measure:
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Absenteeism – hours missed from work due to health
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Presenteeism – showing up but feeling too tired or stressed to perform well
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Then added them up to find total productivity loss
❓What Did They Find? (Here’s Where It Gets Real)
Workers who had poor sleep, stress, or a poor diet lost more work time and money than those who didn’t.
📊 The Top 5 Health Issues Costing FIFO Workers the Most:
| Health Problem | Extra Productivity Lost | Cost Per 1000 Workers (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Poor Diet | 6.85% | $8.86 million |
| Psychological Stress | 6.56% | $2.93 million |
| Poor Sleep | 3.28% | $2.83 million |
| Physical Inactivity | 3.88% | $1.4 million |
| Poor Physical Health | 11.10% | $1.31 million |
Yes, you read that right: a bad diet alone could cost a company $8.8 million a year for every 1000 FIFO workers. And that’s just from lost focus and energy, not even medical bills.
❓Why Does This Matter to You?
Because even if your pay looks good on paper, you could be missing out due to lost productivity and energy — even without realizing it.
Many FIFO workers in the study didn’t take sick days but still felt mentally or physically off during shifts — that’s “presenteeism,” and it adds up fast.
❓How Could This Help FIFO Workers?
If employers invest in health programs — like better food at camps, sleep-support tools, or fitness options — you could:
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Feel better day-to-day
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Stay sharp and alert on shift
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Potentially earn more by being more productive
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Reduce sick days and injuries
🛠️ At Oriems Fit, We Support Hardworking Aussies
We’re proud to be a 100% Australian Award-Winning Brand, voted Best Product of the Year 2024 and 2025. We created tools like the Original Oriems Fit Kit, using EMS technology to support muscle activity, energy, and recovery — all without going to a gym.
Whether you’re on shift or at home, it’s made to help keep your body active and reduce tension after a long day.
💬 Want to Chat About This?
Do you work FIFO? Have you noticed days when your body or mood just isn’t there?
👉 Drop a comment below and share your experience — your story could help someone else.
📎 Original Research Source
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Title: Cost of Health-Related Work Productivity Loss among Fly-In Fly-Out Mining Workers in Australia
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Authors: Bernard Yeboah-Asiamah Asare, Marshall Makate, and team
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Published by: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022)
🧠 This blog post is part of the ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST — where we simplify real health studies to inspire curiosity and better living. Want to start your own health journey? We’ve got fresh research every week.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This blog is for information and recreational purposes only. It does not offer medical advice. Always talk to a qualified healthcare provider for personal health decisions. Read full disclaimer here
