Sleep environment is associated with sleep control in fly-in, fly-out mining shift workers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Sleep Science
• Environmental Psychology

Background:

• Healthy sleep requires control over sleep timing, duration, and quality.
• Fly-in, Fly-out (FIFO) mining shift workers experience unique sleep challenges due to rosters.
• The impact of the sleep environment on perceived sleep control in FIFO workers is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the sleep environment of FIFO mining shift workers.
• To assess the association between the sleep environment and perceived sleep control.
• To identify key environmental factors influencing sleep control in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with Australian FIFO mining shift workers.
• The Assessment of Sleep Environment (ASE) and Brief Index of Sleep Control (BRISC) were utilized.
• Linear regression and Random Forest analyses explored associations between environmental factors and sleep control.

Main Results:

• 538 FIFO workers participated; 29% were female.
• A majority (two-thirds) found their sleep environment sleep-disruptive.
• Higher sleep environment disruption (ASE scores) was significantly associated with lower sleep control (BRISC scores) (p < 0.001).
• Pillow/blanket comfort, mattress comfort, room temperature, noise, light, and safety were negatively correlated with sleep control (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• The study underscores the critical role of the sleep environment in regulating sleep control for FIFO mining workers.
• Improvements in bedding comfort, temperature regulation, noise/light reduction, and safety measures are recommended.
• Further longitudinal and objective studies are needed to establish causality and inform targeted interventions.