South West residents are being urged by the state government to have their say about mental health practises for fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) workers, with the release of a draft code of practice.
The draft released by the McGowan Government aims to provide companies with guidance on how to protect their FIFO workers' mental health.
It was created following recommendations from the Legislative Assembly Education and Health Standing Committee’s report on the impact of FIFO practices on workers’ mental health.
Mines and Petroleum and Commerce and Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston said the draft code would be beneficial for the workers, the workplace and the companies involved.
“Creating a mentally healthy workplace not only benefits the mental health and well being of the workforce but builds trust and respect, and enhances an organisation’s reputation," said Mr Johnston.
Yabberup couple, Dion and Sandy White first met in the mining industry as FIFO workers.
After seven years Mrs White stopped to have their two children, Reece two and Ryder four, while Mr White continued to work two weeks on and one week off.
Mrs White said she didn't have any troubles with mental health in the years of doing FIFO, but struggles with anxiety when Dion is away.
"I suffer from anxiety now, which is getting better as the kids are getting older but I did struggle for a little bit there.”
Mr White has been a FIFO worker for 20 years and said there was help if an individual needs it.
"The company I work for there's a lot of support, you can talk to your boss on the Tuesday and by Wednesday you are talking to a counselor. There's support there if you need it. You just need to put your hand up and say I need some help," Mr White said.
“It's better now then it used to be. When I started it was four weeks on and one week off and if you got near a phone you were pretty lucky. Now you can Skype or Facebook, technology has done a lot.”
Mrs White said that fly in day was always a good day but fly out day was always hard on the entire family.
“Fly out day is an awful day for all of us, Ryder gets upset because he’s now at that age that he understands that daddy goes away for a long time,” she said.
Mr White said that he couldn't be doing FIFO without a supportive partner.
"We communicate and talk to each other everyday so it's not a big drama, but if Sandy and I weren't getting along I'd find it very difficult to do that job and keep your mind on the job,” he said.
Darren Robinson of Allanson has worked as a FIFO worker for 18 years, seven of those offshore in Australia in the oil and gas industry and 11 working all over the world on the scientific research ship called the Chikyū.
Mr Robinson said working four weeks on and four weeks off and being away from wife Jackie and his two boys, Jake 10 and Ashley eight was hard but much better when he first started.
"In those days it was a mans world, you were screamed at, worked hard and if you were caught slacking off you were fired. Mental health was not a concern to the companies back then, at day rates to hire our vessel at half a million dollars they wanted results, not deal with peoples problems. It was suck it up and get it done.
"I think companies have come a long way from when I first started in making the work place more tolerable with living conditions and communication with our families at home, but unless the individual admits he or she has a problem then there is not much they can do,” said Mr Robinson.
Mr Robinson said, "I have worked with two people who have taken their own lives, this job and the failure of their marriages were the cause. When there's issues at home and you fight with the wife or girlfriend they hang up or won’t talk to you, the stress and depression builds.
“You can see it happening to your colleagues and unless they are willing to talk about it, which most are not, they bottle it up until it becomes too much, many turn to alcohol or drugs to try to forget there problems,” he said.
Minister Johnston said the government was committed to driving change in mental health.
“Tragically, on average, one Western Australian takes their life every day,” he said.
To read the code you can visit http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/Consultation-16497.aspx. The code is open for comment until April 19. If you or a loved one need help contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
