Fatigue and the first day

Donna in her interview talks about one of her challenges being the first day back to site. Her morning typically starts at 1am to get up and be ready for the shuttle bus to take her to the airport in time for her early morning flight . On arrival she goes straight to work for an organisation that manages camps and villages. Its 7pm before she finishes her day.

 

Donna is one of our dedicated hospitality workers that takes great pride in keeping our dongas clean and presentable. And I can testify to that having spent many a night in a room spotlessly cared for by one of the few people I know who loves cleaning!

 

As a grandmother, Donna wanted the experience of working away so she could better understand the work of her son in law who is a miner. She has gained valuable insights into the FIFO lifestyle and feels better able to understand and support her family, especially her daughter and grandchild.

 

The challenges of a very long first day that Donna talks about, really highlights the importance of managing fatigue.

 

If you are thinking about doing FIFO it is certainly worth considering the impact of where you live and the time you will spend travelling. Some resource companies do have flights from regional areas and shuttle buses and shared transport can cut down on costs and minimise driving when tired.

 

I hear about very long journeys that people make to and from site, sometimes interstate and even from overseas. Tell us about your travel to and from site and how it impacts on you. And we especially want to know how you manage your fatigue and what tips or strategies you have?