A new study by Edith Cowan University (ECU) aims to find out how the sleep environment of FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) workers affects their sleep quality and well-being. Sleep is essential for health and performance, but many FIFO workers in the resources industry are not getting enough of it.
The ECU researchers are calling for participants to take part in an online survey, where they can also offer to participate in another study in which workers will wear a sleep tracker to bed and have a light/temperature data logger placed nearby.
The problem of sleep deprivation
A previous study by ECU found that 60% of FIFO workers were at risk of developing sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea and shift work disorder. These conditions can cause excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired cognitive function, mood disturbances, increased risk of accidents, and chronic diseases.
The role of the sleep environment
The sleep environment includes factors such as light, temperature, noise, comfort, privacy, and security. It affects the quality and quantity of sleep, as well as the ease of falling asleep and waking up.
Too hot, too cold, too loud, too bright — there are many reasons it can be difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep, which is especially true for FIFO workers.
The ECU researchers want to investigate how the sleep environment of FIFO workers differs between their onsite accommodation and their home, and how this impacts their sleep health.
Sleep debt – What happens when workers go home?
FIFO shift workers accumulate “sleep debt” over the course of their time working on-site before they return home. While it’s assumed this break would allow workers to catch up on sleep, Mr Beranek said the impacts of sleep debt could continue to be felt after returning home.
“Accumulated sleep loss can increase the risk of poor mental health and cardiovascular health,” he said.
“We also want to find out if workers’ sleep does actually improve once they’re in their own bed: do they have children waking them up, noisy neighbours, social commitments keeping them from getting enough sleep?”
To answer these questions, study participants will continue to monitor their sleep environments during their time off work.
Take part in the study
The study’s findings could help improve the sleep health of workers outside the resources sector and the broader public.
“Research from the Sleep Health Foundation found inadequate sleep cost Australia $66.3 billion in 2016-17 — so it’s a major issue, not just in the resources sector,” said Mr Beranek
If you are interested in taking part in the survey, you can visit the study homepage.
Sources
ECU study analyses sleep quality of FIFO workers by NSCA Foundation, 7th September, 2023.
Keeping FIFO shift workers safe and healthy—by helping them sleep by ECU, 28th August, 2023.
Digging for data: How sleep is losing out to roster design, sleep disorders, and lifestyle factors by ScienceDirect, February, 2022.
FIFO workers at significant risk of sleep loss and sleep disorders by ECU, 27th October, 2021.
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