Deciphering mining rosters

First, let’s define a “shift”

A shift is measured in working hours within a 24 hour period. The typical working hours for one shift is around 12 to 12.5 hours.

There are two types of shift - day and night.

Starting times vary, but are usually very early - from around 4am anywhere to 6am, for dayshift. The nightshift crew will usually begin work at the PM equivalent hour, with a half hour “handover” for senior roles.

Different types of mining swings and rosters

A swing is made up of a number of shifts, followed by an R&R period - rest and relaxation, or time off.

Rosters are represented in on/working) and off/R&R) time - either by the number of shifts/days/nights, or weeks. For example:

• 7:7 - 7 shifts on, 7 shifts off

• 8:6/7:7 - 8 shifts on, 6 off, 7 shifts on, 7 off

• 5:2/4:3 - 5 shifts on, 2 off, 4 shifts on, 3 off

• 1:1 - 1 week on, 1 off

• 2:1 - 2 weeks on, 1 off

• 2:2 - 2 weeks on, 2 off

Sometimes, rosters will be represented by the number of day or night shifts, followed by X being time off. For example:

• 7D7X7N7X - 7 days on, 7 off, 7 nights on, 7 off

• 8D6X7N7X - 8 days on, 6 off, 7 nights on, 7 off; or

• DDDDNNNXXXXXXX - 4 days on, 3 nights on, 7 off

• DDDDDDDNNNNNNNXXXXXXX - 7 days on, 7 nights on, 7 off

Pajama days and fatigue days

A pyjama day is the day spent at camp when switching from day to night shift. This means you finish your last day shift in the evening, then have the next 24 hours off, and begin night shift the next evening.

Some operations do not allow you to work more than 14 consecutive shifts of more than 7 consecutive night shifts in a row. These “fatigue days” are mandatory, and whether you are paid or not depends on your contract.