New research aims to improve sleep of at-risk FIFO workers

Australia has more than 100,000 fly-in fly-out, or ‘FIFO,’ workers, whose lifestyle is correlated with an increased risk of reduced or poor sleep and sleep disorders. This in turn can affect their health, well-being and safety on the job.

For the first time, a new study will examine where these workers sleep to see what can be done to improve their sleep health.

The study will investigate noise, light temperature and other factors on sleep quality while workers are on site and – crucially – also while they are at home, to see if they do eventually “catch up” on their required sleep.

Edith Cowan University PhD candidate and lead researcher Phillip Beranek joins us today to discuss.

August 30 – FIFO