Fatigue guidance published for rail workers

The ORR has issued revised guidance for rail companies concerning the management of fatigue among staff.

The RAIB estimates fatigue was a factor in 111 rail industry accidents and incidents between 200 and 2010.

The guidance suggests fatigue controls are relevant to all workers who are subject to significant fatigue risk from their work, not just those involved in safety-critical work.

Recommendations include reviewing fatigue controls when weekly hours exceed 55, instead of the current 72 hours. Additionally, the document offers suggestions on how to minimise risk in rail companies’ organisational arrangements, planning and implementation, monitoring, audit and review.

A checklist is also provided to give rail companies a structure to help employers assess the adequacy of their existing fatigue controls.

The updated guidance, ‘Managing rail staff fatigue’, is available to download at www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/managing_rail_fatigue.pdf

Tell us what you think at opinion@railtechnologymagazine.com

Image c. jasleen_kaur