You’re taking off for distant work locations, leaving behind the luxuries of home to enter the harsh world of construction zones or mines. Undoubtedly, it’s an exciting job, but there will inevitably be setbacks and injuries.
FIFO employees are not your typical 9–5 employees. They’re facing challenges from Mother Nature, hefty equipment, and the kind of remoteness that would make an introvert feel talkative. It makes sense that they could get more beneath their nails than mere dirt. Remember that you should not be denied your rights simply because you are constantly on the move.
A personal injury lawyer Mackay can help investigate the circumstances of an accident, determine liability, and pursue additional compensation if necessary. To make sure that the right preventive, mitigating, and support measures are in place, FIFO workers, their employers, and personal injury attorneys need to understand the most common injury risks.
1. Musculoskeletal Disorders
These devoted heroes face challenges beyond dirt and perspiration. Their bones and muscles engage in a never-ending tug-of-war, their bodies screaming out.
Consider this: you are reaching that one location by twisting like a pretzel, lifting objects heavier than your typical sofa, and repeating the same motion until you can do it while you sleep. That is why your back hurts, your knees hurt, and your shoulders are sore.
2. Slips, Trips, and Falls
You are surrounded by untamed landscapes while working in the middle of nowhere. Even going from point A to point B feels like an adventure in this kind of setting, and not always a nice one.
You may suffer from everything from a fractured skull to a broken ankle with just one misplaced step.
These accidents are more than just a headache. Workers may be sidelined for an extended period as a result, twiddling their thumbs rather than earning a living. Each party concerned loses out in this situation.
Remember that maintaining your dignity in these distant job sites means protecting both your health and your income.
3. Vehicle Accidents
Due to their unpredictable schedules, remote workers frequently have to travel great distances between their temporary housing and employment sites. There’s no doubt that this commute is unlike any other.
Imagine yourself driving over treacherous roads that appear to have seen better days, your eyelids tired from a long shift, and the miles just seem to keep coming. It’s a guaranteed recipe for disaster and not the kind you can ignore. We are talking about collisions that do worse than just damaged fenders when they happen.
4. Mental Health Challenges
Of course, when you consider the dangers of working as a FIFO, the first things that probably spring to mind are a broken knee or a poor back. However, let’s talk about the unseen struggles these road warriors encounter.
You are miles away from home, encircled by strangers, and putting in more hours than an owl could ever need. It should come as no surprise that some of these sturdy cookies begin to crumble within.
After all, ensuring that these personnel can move that heavy equipment isn’t the only thing that will keep them operating at full capacity. Making sure they can support the mental demands of this particular lifestyle without breaking is the main goal.
Conclusion
Because of the unique challenges that FIFO workers encounter, personal injury risks need to be addressed diversely. To foster a more resilient and safe work environment, companies and FIFO employees should collaborate to identify the most common forms of injuries, put preventative measures in place, and offer the required assistance.
