Is FIFO Dangerous? Facts & Safety Tips to Know

If you're serious about FIFO mining, you probably have a lot of questions. Like how much can I realistically make? Is there a good amount of time off? And what are the long-term career opportunities?

These are all important things to consider. But in this post, I want to answer an even more important question: is FIFO work dangerous?

The short answer is yes, it can be. But it's more nuanced than that and also depends on your role. So let's wrap up this small talk and get right to it!

What is FIFO?

FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) is when an employer temporarily sends workers to a remote construction site for a specified amount of time. This type of work requires heavy machinery operations, long work hours and is generally a very demanding role.

You can find FIFO jobs by looking online, applying through job sites or working directly with a recruiter. You'll likely need to obtain a working holiday visa to work in Australia. But we'll talk more about how to get started in FIFO later.

Read more: FIFO Mining Guide: How to Get Started

Types of FIFO Jobs & Responsibilities

• Production work. This work uses heavy machinery and earth-moving equipment. These jobs require special certifications and experience and are more difficult to get.
• Maintenance. This work ensures that operations and equipment continue to run smoothly. Workers are tasked with fixing machinery and problems on-site. These roles are also harder to get and require special certifications.
• Construction. This work involves the actual building of infrastructure like roads and buildings on-site for the work to be done. These positions are great for gaining experience in the FIFO industry.
• Drilling & exploration. This work requires you to drill deep into the earth to uncover ore deposits and materials. These roles are often easier to get, but they're also some of the most demanding positions.
• Utility work. These are supportive roles that help sites run smoothly. Cooking, cleaning and admin work are some examples. These jobs are in high-demand, making them harder to come by.
• Shutdown work. This is when workers go onto sites during temporary shutdowns to work on repairs and maintenance. These roles don't operate on a fixed roster schedule (like other positions) and tend to be more flexible with fluctuating demand.

Read more: 6 Types of FIFO Jobs

So, is FIFO Mining Dangerous? What to Know

Yes, FIFO mining is a dangerous line of work compared to other jobs. Research shows that long workdays, difficult work environments and apprehension for seeking mental help collectively result in poorer health overall. The FIFO mining lifestyle may also contribute to psychological distress and risky health behaviors.

So, as you may have expected, FIFO mining is inherently higher risk. But that doesn't mean you can't prepare yourself and make things safer (more on that later).

Why FIFO Mining is Dangerous

The nature of FIFO mining is more dangerous compared to other lines of work. Here are a few reasons why:

• Inclement weather and harsh elements

• Dealing with normal mining-related risks

• Harsh and hazardous work environments

• Poor lifestyle factors such as irregular sleep

• Long work days causing physical or mental exhaustion

• Work is often in remote locations, away from emergency support

Keep in mind though that your level of risk also depends on the type of job you're doing. For example, if you're working in utilities or services, your position will be less dangerous than say a drilling position, which involves operating heavy machinery out in the elements.

Still, FIFO mining offers great pay, benefits and valuable experience in the industry, which can segue into exciting career growth opportunities.

Read more: FIFO Mining Work Conditions & Lifestyle

4 FIFO Mining Safety Tips

1. Understand the Job Fully

Understanding your role and managing your expectations is key for making the best of your FIFO experience. Some roles are naturally more dangerous and require more physical demand or work-related responsibilities.

So make sure you understand your FIFO job offer completely before you commit.

Ask the right questions during your interviews, talk with other FIFO workers to get their firsthand experience, check out reviews online for your company and read the job description in full before you accept any offers.

You may also consider consulting with a recruiter like W1NW1N who will work on your behalf to find the best possible positions in the industry. They'll also be able to answer your most important questions concerning safety.

And of course, your employer can provide more information on the type of training provided and the safety protocols in place so you know exactly what to expect.

But when in doubt, always ask for clarity.

2. Get the Right Training

FIFO mining requires certain skills, experience and certifications - some roles more than others.

And having the right training is instrumental for maintaining safety while on-site for yourself and the workers around you.

So if you haven't yet, start looking into what's required for your preferred positions and consider leveling up with safety training courses, extra certifications and experience. An inexperienced or untrained worker can be just as hazardous as a risky work environment.

For example, most FIFO jobs in Australia require at least a basic white card just to be on-site. Some other tickets and training for FIFO work include:

• Working at heights certification

• Gas testing certification

• Forklift operations

• Truck licence

• Scaffolding

• Rigging

You may also consider boosting your experience by getting an internship or working an entry-level position for a relevant role prior to applying. Creating a safe environment during your FIFO experience starts with having the right knowledge and training - and then staying intentional.

Read more: The Best FIFO Mining Tickets to Get

3. Cultivate a Safety Mindset

Besides learning the technical emergency protocols and getting the right tickets or certifications, it's also a smart move to cultivate a safe-work mindset. This boosts your awareness of your surroundings and makes you more intentional about staying safe on-site.

Of course, you can't control everything, but many small mistakes or errors can often be avoided if you just stay vigilant and aware of potential safety concerns on-site.

So here are some tips for cultivating and maintaining an intentional safety mindset while working in FIFO mining:

• Set a safety intention before each shift
• Watch for signs of fatigue in other coworkers
• Monitor yourself with regular self-assessments
• Prioritize safety over speed and take breaks seriously
• Monitor for unsafe conditions or behaviors around you
• Stay informed and learn new procedures and protocols
• Stay aware of your surroundings and plan ahead for potential dangers
• Practice clear communication and always speak up if you see something unsafe

4. Prioritise Your Wellbeing and Safety

Your physical health and mental wellbeing are the most important things - especially in an industry as demanding as FIFO mining. When you neglect your wellbeing, you're at an increased risk of making mistakes on-site.

Burnout and exhaustion make FIFO work even more dangerous. When you're required to operate heavy machinery in adverse conditions for long hours, your health and wellness become paramount.

So here are some key tips to key in mind:

• Drink plenty of water. Know the signs of dehydration and prepare for work by bringing a large jug of water and taking time to rehydrate and refuel.
• Do regular self-assessments. Monitor yourself for exhaustion and fatigue throughout the day and take breaks when needed.
• Communicate any concerns or issues. It's always best to speak up if you have safety concerns or if you're experiencing mental or physical health issues.
• Don't “push through”. It can be hard to speak up, but if you're experiencing serious fatigue or other issues, it's critical to say something. Mistakes happen when trying to push through or avoid falling behind schedule. Safety is more important in these situations.

How to Get Started in FIFO Mining

If you want to get started in FIFO mining, there are a few different ways to go about it. You can start by checking job sites like Indeed or seek to explore the opportunities available and eligibility requirements. For example, most roles will require certain certifications (like a white card) and/or experience.

But if you're really serious about working in FIFO mining, I recommend going through a recruiter like W1NW1N. They have industry connections and know exactly what mining companies are looking for and how to get you hired. They also work on your behalf, ensuring you get the best possible safest gigs.

So, do you think you have what it takes to work in FIFO mining?