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The hidden hazard: Why poor nutrition could be one of mining’s biggest safety and productivity risks

Body Armour

What started as a passion project among four friends has become one of Australia’s fastest growing nutrition and sleep support brands.

In heavy industries like mining, the margin for error is often razor thin. Small impairments in physical or cognitive function such as fatigue, delayed reactions or lapses in focus can have catastrophic consequences.

The good news is that these risks can be mitigated. With modern science and a growing body of research, there are clear and actionable ways to improve safety through better nutrition and recovery practices.

Body Armour is an Australian company founded by four friends united by a shared obsession with nutrition and performance, and a vision to create real change.

With a combined 33 years of experience in the mining and construction industries, the founders saw a gap in the market for recovery and performance solutions that are genuinely effective and free from hidden toxins, harmful chemicals and misleading marketing.

“Our mission stems from a simple belief: nutrition free from harmful chemicals and effective recovery are the most important pillars of optimal performance,” Body Armour director Toni McQuinn told Safe to Work. “We are committed to shining a spotlight on the harmful chemicals still present in many recovery and performance solutions.

“This is especially concerning in the mining industry, where recovery products are consumed in large volumes on a daily basis.”

McQuinn said everyone in the mining industry should be aware of the long-term health risks posed by chemicals like artificial colours, flavours and sweeteners.

Equipped with this knowledge, he believes miners will be able to make more informed decisions about what products they choose to consume, ultimately supporting the health and performance of the industry at large.

“During my 15 years in the industry, managing human resources functions and collaborating closely with HSE [health, safety and environment] teams, I’ve witnessed exceptional efforts placed on the latest technologies, systems and processes to keep our workforce safe,” McQuinn said.

“However, one critical aspect often overlooked – the role of nutrition and recovery in safety-critical factors like focus, muscle movement, reaction time, sustained energy and mental strength. We do it very well for sports, so why not for operators executing challenging tasks in difficult conditions?

“These factors, which are pivotal for performing high-stakes tasks, often lacked proper education and integration into safety strategies.”

McQuinn said this issue is compounded by the quality of recovery solutions traditionally available to the industry.

“Many have been formulated with excessive sugar and harmful chemicals, including artificial colours that have been linked to serious long-term health impacts, directly contradicting their intended purpose of promoting health and performance,” he said.

“At Body Armour, our mission is to serve employers who are committed to protecting and empowering their workforce.”

The company’s range of health and wellness products is tailored to meet the unique needs of industries like mining where focus, endurance and recovery are critical to safety and productivity.

“Guided by advanced clinical research and modern science, we develop solutions that enhance the body’s ability to perform and recover effectively,” McQuinn said.

“Among our range, our hydration and sleep solutions provide tangible health benefits that directly translate into optimal focus, muscle movement, sustained energy, and improved recovery for workers in physically demanding environments.”

Hydration+

With cordials, icy poles and powders that can be mixed into water available through Body Armour’s Hydration+ range, miners are able to grab and go with whichever form of hydration suits them best.

The range was designed to eliminate unhealthy ingredients like sugar and artificial additives, offering miners an alternative to traditional hydration products that support long-term health.

The Hydration+ range was designed to eliminate unhealthy ingredients like sugar and artificial additives. Image: Body Armour

“Our Hydration+ range is a robust recovery solution designed to support workers who face extreme physical exertion and environmental stressors, such as heat, long shifts and demanding tasks,” McQuinn said.

“Through five key electrolytes, a vitamin complex and nootropics, our hydration range is designed not only mitigate heat stress, dehydration, cramping and muscle fatigue but also to maintain energy levels and focus.

“By providing a clean, toxin-free alternative to traditional hydration solutions, Body Armour ensures that workers can stay hydrated without the harmful chemicals found in many conventional products.”

Sleep support

Adequate sleep is often overlooked, yet it plays a critical role in recovery, cognitive function and overall performance.

Body Armour Sleep targets workers who struggle with the physical and mental demands of long shifts and irregular schedules.

“Our formula is designed to enhance the natural sleep cycle, promoting deeper, more restorative sleep, particularly during the crucial REM [rapid eye movement] and deep sleep stages,” McQuinn said. “This ensures workers can recover effectively and perform optimally during the day.”

The Body Armour Sleep blend is one solution to a reliance on chemicals like sleeping tablets, which can have serious adverse effects on performance.

“Body Armour Sleep is formulated with nine active ingredients, including some of the most potent natural sedatives, to enhance the body’s natural restorative processes,” McQuinn said.

The Body Armour Sleep support targets workers who struggle with long shifts and irregular schedules. Image: Body Armour

An industry shift

During Body Armour’s site visits across Australia delivering educational content on body functioning, nutrition and performance, McQuinn has seen firsthand the appetite from both employers and their workforces to better understand the fundamentals of nutrition and its link to overall health.

“We’re also seeing HSE teams asking more critical questions about the composition of products and solutions provided to the workforce,” he said. “It’s encouraging to witness this focus moving beyond cost to value, recognising the role that proper nutrition and recovery play in safety, performance and overall wellbeing.

“These are all excellent steps in the right direction.”

By working with employers and collaborating with HSE teams to take a holistic approach to health, Body Armour is on a mission to change the way sites tackle worker wellbeing.

“While most companies focus solely on rehydration, Body Armour takes a broader approach by targeting overall performance,” McQuinn said.

“Our formulations are designed to provide all essential electrolytes, minerals, vitamins and nootropics necessary for optimal recovery and peak functionality, far beyond mere replenishment.”

Partnership is a cornerstone of the way Body Armour operates and the company has received glowing feedback from its hands-on approach.

“Customer service is a core metric for us, and we actively gather feedback to drive our continuous improvement objectives,” McQuinn said.

“We’ve been fortunate to receive outstanding feedback from several mining and heavy industry sites.”

As part of these partnerships, Body Armour has provided comprehensive support with access to educational resources in areas like heat stress management, fatigue management protocols, nutritional frameworks, hydration protocols and other key wellness topics.

Image: Body Armour

The company follows this support with on-the-ground training for the entire workforce, ensuring every individual receives the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health and performance.

With a team made up of experienced nutritionists, chemists and naturopaths, Body Armour has a line-up of experts primed support the company’s mission and provide expert guidance to ensure that safety and performance are maximised through proper nutrition and recovery.

Body Armour experts are also directly accessible for one-on-one consultation through the company’s online platforms, allowing partnered sites to offer their workforce an avenue for questions.

“We’re also proudly Australian-owned and operated, with all our manufacturing taking place in our Brisbane and Melbourne labs,” McQuinn said.

“This gives us complete control over quality, ensures consistent supply and top quality customer service, and reinforces our ability to deliver products tailored to the demands of Australian industries.”

Looking to the year ahead, McQuinn said Body Armour will continue working with miners to raise awareness about the critical need to incorporate nutrition education and training into safety strategies.

“With Body Armour, you’re not just investing in a product,” he said. “You’re gaining a partner dedicated to delivering innovative performance solutions that prioritise health, safety and sustainability.”

This feature also appears in the January-February issue of Safe to Work.

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