Product Overview

Summary: This Fatigue Management in Mining Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework to identify, control and monitor fatigue risks across mining operations. It supports compliance with Australian WHS laws while helping sites manage rosters, long shifts, remote work and high-risk tasks in a consistent, defensible way.

Mining operations in Australia routinely involve extended shifts, night work, remote locations and high‑risk tasks, all of which significantly increase the risk of fatigue-related incidents. This Fatigue Management in Mining Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, evidence‑based approach for recognising fatigue, managing rosters and work demands, and implementing controls before performance and safety are compromised. It translates regulatory expectations and industry good practice into clear, day‑to‑day actions for supervisors, planners and workers on site.

The SOP addresses the full fatigue risk cycle: from pre-employment considerations and induction, through roster design and travel arrangements, to on-shift monitoring, reporting and incident review. It provides practical tools to manage factors such as long commuting times, FIFO/DIDO arrangements, night shift patterns, hot and noisy environments, and safety‑critical roles such as operators, drivers and maintenance personnel. By implementing this procedure, mining businesses can demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS legislation, reduce the likelihood of catastrophic events linked to fatigue, and improve overall productivity, engagement and retention across their workforce.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the likelihood of fatigue-related incidents, near misses and vehicle accidents across mining operations.
• Ensure alignment with Australian WHS fatigue management expectations and demonstrate defensible due diligence.
• Standardise how supervisors identify, assess and respond to signs of fatigue in workers and contractors.
• Optimise roster design, breaks and travel arrangements to balance production demands with worker health and safety.
• Improve worker wellbeing, morale and retention by setting clear, fair and transparent fatigue management rules.

Who is this for?

• Mine Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Operations Managers
• Site Supervisors and Leading Hands
• Control Room Supervisors
• HR and Workforce Planning Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Contractor Managers
• FIFO/DIDO Workforce Coordinators
• Training and Induction Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Fatigue-related loss of concentration leading to vehicle and mobile plant collisions
• Reduced alertness during operation of heavy equipment and production plant
• Impaired decision-making in safety‑critical roles (e.g. control room, dispatch, emergency response)
• Microsleeps while driving light vehicles or buses to and from remote sites
• Increased risk of slips, trips, falls and manual handling injuries due to tiredness
• Cumulative fatigue from consecutive night shifts, long hours and insufficient recovery time
• Fatigue exacerbated by environmental conditions such as heat, noise and vibration
• Psychosocial risks associated with long rosters, isolation and disrupted sleep patterns

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Fatigue, Safety-Critical Work, High-Risk Tasks, FIFO/DIDO, etc.)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Mine Manager, Supervisors, Workers, Contractors)
• 4.0 Legal and Other Requirements for Fatigue Management in Mining
• 5.0 Fatigue Risk Factors in Mining Operations
• 6.0 Roster and Hours of Work Requirements (Maximum Hours, Night Shifts, Consecutive Shifts)
• 7.0 Travel, Commute and FIFO/DIDO Fatigue Controls
• 8.0 Pre-Shift and On-Shift Fatigue Assessment and Screening
• 9.0 Identification of Fatigue Signs and Symptoms
• 10.0 Control Measures for Managing Fatigue (Engineering, Administrative and Personal Controls)
• 11.0 Breaks, Rest Pauses and Recovery Time Guidelines
• 12.0 Management of Safety-Critical Tasks and High-Risk Activities
• 13.0 Reporting and Escalation Process for Fatigue Concerns
• 14.0 Managing Workers Declared Unfit Due to Fatigue
• 15.0 Training, Induction and Awareness Requirements
• 16.0 Contractor and Labour Hire Fatigue Management Requirements
• 17.0 Recordkeeping, Monitoring and Audit of Fatigue Controls
• 18.0 Incident Investigation and Review of Fatigue as a Contributing Factor
• 19.0 Continuous Improvement and Consultation with Workers and HSRs
• 20.0 References, Related Documents and Supporting Tools (Checklists, Forms, Rostering Guidelines)

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (particularly duties relating to fatigue as a hazard)
• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Managing the Risk of Fatigue at Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• NSW Resources Regulator and other state mining regulator fatigue management guidance (where applicable)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use