title: Investigation into the effect of infrastructure on fly-in fly-out mining workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore fly-in fly-out (FIFO) mining workers' attitudes towards the leisure time they spend in mining camps, the recreational and social aspects of mining camp culture, the camps' communal and recreational infrastructure and activities, and implications for health.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-depth semistructured interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individual interviews at locations convenient for each participant.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of seven participants, one female and six males. The age group varied within 20-59 years. Marital status varied across participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative approach was used to interview participants, with responses thematically analysed. Findings highlight how the recreational infrastructure and activities at mining camps impact participants' enjoyment of the camps and their feelings of community and social inclusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three main areas of need were identified in the interviews, as follows: (i) on-site facilities and activities; (ii) the role of infrastructure in facilitating a sense of community; and (iii) barriers to social interaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recreational infrastructure and activities enhance the experience of FIFO workers at mining camps. The availability of quality recreational facilities helps promote social interaction, provides for greater social inclusion and improves the experience of mining camps for their temporary FIFO residents. The infrastructure also needs to allow for privacy and individual recreational activities, which participants identified as important emotional needs. Developing appropriate recreational infrastructure at mining camps would enhance social interactions among FIFO workers, improve their well-being and foster a sense of community. Introducing infrastructure to promote social and recreational activities could also reduce alcohol-related social exclusion.
authors.affiliation: School of Design, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perring
authors.forename: Kieu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Snow
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Buys
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D001315:Australia; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D011998:Recreation / Q000523:psychology; D012424:Rural Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: FIFO; built environment; fly-in fly-out; mining camp; rural Queensland; social sustainability