ESG

FMG returning rosters to normal

Iron ore miner to introduce additional COVID-19 screening measures

Staff reporter

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It comes as Western Australia eased travel restrictions to and from the Pilbara region.

FMG said the move also reflected low cases of COVID-19 in WA.

Since March, FMG's FIFO workforce has been on a four week on/two week off roster from a two week on/one week off roster previously.

As rosters return to normal, FMG will introduce mandatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for COVID-19 from today.

FMG CEO Elizabeth Gaines said the company had been in a privileged position to continue to operate during this time of unprecedented disruption.

"Our primary focus the health and safety of the Fortescue family and the wider community and the PCR testing supports our return to normal rosters, while also contributing to the broader community understanding of this virus," she said.

"We were the first iron ore company to extend our operational rosters, which reduced travel to our sites by 40% and I would like to thank the Fortescue team and their families for their understanding, cooperation and support during this period."

FMG will also allow non-critical site-based employees to return to site once the roster transition is complete.

The PCR testing scheme forms part of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia's (CME) DETECT FIFO program and the WA government's broader DETECT program - a WA-based population study focused on testing targeted groups of people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms.

While the testing of all FMG FIFO team members is mandatory, employees will also have the option to ‘opt in' to the research element of the DETECT program.

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