Fortescue returning WA mining shift rosters toward ‘normal’

There will be shorter shift rosters at FMG from June 22, in line with the relaxation of internal movement restrictions in WA.

Fortescue said it will also relax restrictions on non-critical employees working on its sites.

Fortescue Metals Group has set a date for the return to more normal operations at its Pilbara mines as the immediate threat of the coronavirus in WA recedes, saying it will abandon extended rosters by June 22.

Fortescue, like other major miners, extended the length of time employees worked on site as the coronavirus pandemic hit, doubling so-called mining “swings” from a two week on, one off, patter to four weeks followed by a two-week period of leave.

The company said on Tuesday it will return to shorter shift rosters from June 22, in line with the relaxation of temporary internal movement restrictions in WA.

Fortescue said it will also relax restrictions on non-critical employees working on its sites.

All employees will be required to undertake additional COVID-19 screening checks before getting on a plane, the company said.

Fortescue shifted its rostering structure in late March, and adopted the longest pattern of any of the majors. BHP and Rio Tinto moved to two-week swings, with a week off, around the same time, with smaller miners adopting similar rostering patterns.

Last week, Rio said it was drawing up its own plans to normalise its workplace rosters and BHP said on Tuesday it was also beginning the process of returning to normalised rosters from late June.

“That process is expected to take place over a period of time, with a continued focus on the safety of people, the community and the continually evolving COVID-19 situation,” the company said.

Acting BHP iron ore boss Tim Day said the changes had been difficult for the company’s workforce.

“For the past couple of months, many of our employees have had to change the way they work. This includes FIFO employees staying on site for extended rosters and not entering local communities, all while being away from their family and friends. Many of our people have relocated to WA and others have been required to work from home,” he said.

“They have shown great resilience during this difficult time and we want to ensure the return to a more regular way of working is as seamless as possible.

“Throughout July we anticipate starting to mobilise FIFO roster employees currently working from home back to site and would anticipate most of our Perth-based workforce returning to the office.

While necessary to keep the industry running, the longer rosters were greeted with concern by mental health professionals in the sector, for fear lengthy times away would increase stress on families and contribute to mental health problems in the fly-in fly-out workforce.