On a FIFO site, safety is not optional. Every rule, from how you walk through a work zone to how you report a hazard, exists because someone once got hurt — and because safety teams, from WHS coordinators and safety officers to emergency response crews, have learned from those incidents.
Australia’s FIFO industry has some of the strictest safety systems in the world, built through decades of mining, oil, gas, and construction experience. Whether you work for BHP in Newman, Rio Tinto in the Pilbara, Woodside at Karratha, or Santos in the Cooper Basin, the message is always the same: you are responsible for your safety and your mate’s safety — and strong performers often progress into roles like Safety Advisor / Emergency Response Officer.
This guide explains how FIFO safety works, from regulations and training to PPE, risk reporting, fatigue, and mental wellbeing, and links you to key FIFO safety training and ticket guides if you want to build a career in HSE.
1. The Regulatory Framework That Governs FIFO Safety
Work Health and Safety (WHS) Laws
FIFO sites follow Australia’s national Work Health and Safety Act. Each state regulator enforces these laws:
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WA: WorkSafe WA
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QLD: Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ)
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NSW: NSW Resources Regulator
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SA: SafeWork SA
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NT: NT WorkSafe
Employers have a duty of care to protect workers from foreseeable harm. They must provide:
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Safe work systems
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Training and supervision
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Fit-for-purpose PPE and equipment
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Reporting systems for hazards and near misses
Workers also have legal duties to follow site rules, use PPE, and report unsafe conditions — something covered in depth in WHS and safety coordinator roles.
Mining and Petroleum Codes
Major operators must meet additional industry-specific codes such as:
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Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 (WA)
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Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 (QLD)
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Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Regulations 2013 (WA)
Companies like BHP, Rio Tinto, FMG, and Woodside maintain detailed Safety Management Systems that align with these acts, supported by trained staff who hold tickets such as S123 Supervisor and G2 Risk Management.
2. Site Inductions: Your Safety Passport
Before mobilisation, every FIFO worker completes two inductions:
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Corporate induction covering company policies, safety expectations, and code of conduct
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Site-specific induction explaining hazards, emergency procedures, and environmental responsibilities
Sites like BHP WAIO, Roy Hill, and Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines use digital systems where workers complete training modules, upload documents, and sign off before travel. Many roles also require external tickets such as a Standard 11 Mining Induction (QLD) and White Card for construction-related work.
Typical induction modules include:
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Hazard identification and control
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Take 5 and Job Hazard Analysis
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Lockout-tagout procedures
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Permit to Work systems
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Fatigue management
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Emergency response
Without a valid induction record, you cannot enter site or start a FIFO swing.
3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The Daily Shield
PPE is the final barrier between workers and harm. Standard issue includes:
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High visibility long sleeve shirt and pants
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Steel-capped boots
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Hard hat
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Safety glasses or goggles
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Gloves and hearing protection
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Dust masks or respirators in specific areas
Special PPE such as harnesses or chemical suits is supplied for certain tasks, often in combination with Working at Heights or Gas Test Atmospheres training.
Company PPE policies
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BHP: Full PPE in all operational zones
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Rio Tinto: Colour-coded PPE to identify contractors
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Woodside: Flame-resistant clothing across LNG facilities
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Santos: Special anti-fog eyewear and fatigue-friendly uniforms
Failing to wear PPE correctly can lead to site removal and may impact future FIFO job opportunities.
4. Hazard Management and Daily Safety Systems
Take 5
A short checklist every worker completes before starting any task. It involves identifying hazards, assessing risk, and deciding on control measures — a core habit for anyone aiming to move into safety and WHS coordinator roles.
Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
A team-based review for higher-risk tasks. Workers assess steps, hazards, and safe methods before approval.
Permit to Work
Formal authorisation for specific work such as hot tasks, confined spaces, or working at heights. Only trained permit issuers and receivers can authorise jobs, often supported by training covered in emergency response and fire safety courses.
Lockout Tagout (LOTO)
A lock and tag system preventing machinery from being re-energised during maintenance. Every worker applies their own lock, a critical step for trades like diesel fitters, electricians, and boilermakers.
Safety Observation Cards (SOC)
Used to report unsafe acts, hazards, or positive safety behaviour. Digital systems like QR-coded cards are used at FMG and Oz Minerals, and strong reporting records are valued when applying for safety advisor jobs.
5. Fatigue and Shift Management
FIFO rosters can test endurance. Safety systems manage fatigue through:
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Maximum shift lengths of 12 hours
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Minimum rest breaks of 10 hours
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Compulsory days off after long swings
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Random fatigue and breath testing
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Ban on sleeping in vehicles or outside designated areas
Roy Hill and South32 use technology that detects micro-sleeps in haul trucks. Workers are encouraged to report fatigue without fear of penalty if done before incidents occur — a key theme in our FIFO Rosters and Fatigue Guide and FIFO Mental Health and Wellbeing Guide.
6. Mental Health and Fitness for Work
Safety also includes mental wellbeing. Modern FIFO companies include psychological health in their safety systems, in line with guidelines like the WA Code of Practice for Mentally Healthy FIFO Workplaces and programs described in our FIFO mental health guide.
Common programs:
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Employee Assistance Programs (confidential counselling)
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Peer support networks and trained wellbeing champions
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MATES in Mining mental health awareness
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Anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies
BHP, Rio Tinto, and FMG have introduced onsite Mental Health First Aiders who support colleagues in crisis, working alongside site nurses and paramedics and health and safety coordinators.
7. Emergency Response and Incident Management
Every FIFO worker must know:
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The location of muster points
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How to recognise alarms and evacuation signals
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Who the wardens are in their area
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How to raise an emergency using a radio or alarm panel
Firefighting stations, AEDs, and spill kits are available in all zones. LNG and chemical facilities include gas detection systems and dedicated emergency response crews on standby 24/7 — the same teams described in our Emergency Response and Fire Safety Roles Guide and emergency training overview.
All incidents are logged and reviewed, even minor ones, to prevent repeat events.
8. Drugs, Alcohol, and Fitness Testing
FIFO sites operate under strict zero-tolerance rules.
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Random drug and alcohol tests occur daily
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Positive results result in suspension and removal
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Prescription medication must be declared before mobilisation
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Fit-for-work assessments are conducted at pre-start meetings
Some employers also use hydration and fatigue scanning to monitor health indicators, linking closely to mental wellbeing and the strategies outlined in our FIFO mental health guide.
9. Environmental and Cultural Safety
Safety extends beyond the workforce to the land itself.
Environmental focus areas:
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Preventing spills and contamination
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Managing dust and noise
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Recycling and waste control
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Water conservation
Cultural awareness:
Sites in the Pilbara, Goldfields, and Northern Territory include training about Traditional Owner heritage. Companies like Rio Tinto and Roy Hill work directly with Indigenous rangers to protect land and sacred sites, supported by Indigenous employment and partnership programs similar to those we highlight in our FIFO Indigenous employment guide.
10. Consequences for Breaking Safety Rules
Ignoring safety standards can have career-ending consequences.
Typical outcomes:
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Verbal warning for minor breaches
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Written warning for repeat issues
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Immediate removal from site for serious offences
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Contractor blacklisting across multiple companies
Most major operators share safety performance data across their networks, so poor behaviour can block future FIFO work entirely — which is why new starters are urged in our Entry-Level FIFO Jobs Guide to treat safety as a non-negotiable.
Conclusion: Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility
FIFO life can be tough, but nothing matters more than getting home safe. Every lock, checklist, and induction exists because someone once learned the hard way. The best workers treat safety as habit, not obligation — and that mindset is exactly what employers look for when promoting people into safety officer, camp management, or senior leadership roles.
When everyone looks out for each other, the roster runs smoother, the camp stays calm, and the flights home are always full of people who made it back in one piece — which is, ultimately, the real measure of success on any FIFO project.
