Comparative assessment of the production load of specialists in decoding flaw patterns of removable and mobile flaw detection equipment in railway transport

Abstract

Introduction. In Russian railway transport, flaw detection is one of the reliable methods for assessing the quality of trackbed condition and the most important component of traffic safety. The working conditions of defectogram interpreters in railway transport refer to a complex form of work organization, because professional activities are carried out year-round in various climatic regions, under conditions of exposure to industrial noise and vibration, magnetic fields, etc., contact ultrasound, etc., as well as a number of factors of an unavoidable nature — work in conditions of moving vehicles.
 The study aims to carry out a comparative assessment of the production load of specialists in decoding flaw patterns of removable and mobile flaw detection equipment in railway transport, depending on intra-group differences in working conditions.
 Materials and methods. The authors conducted industrial physiological and hygienic studies with the participation of operators of flaw detectors with different working conditions - decoders of the stationary Center, flaw inspection vehicles and flaw detection wagons. The study was of a complex nature and was carried out at the workplaces of employees, including in the direct performance of official duties. We used timekeeping, professional, and physiological indicators and recorded indicators of functional systems both remotely and through short-term three inspections during the shift.
 Results. Using the example of decoding engineers, scientists have shown a high production load throughout the entire work shift, characteristic of representatives of all three studied objects, with its greatest severity among employees of the stationary defect decoding center. We noted the greatest deviations in accommodation indicators by the end of the work shift, which indicates fatigue of the visual analyzer, requiring the use of rehabilitation measures.
 Conclusion. There is a high production load and the lack of formation of a stable dynamic stereotype of work, which is associated with a high degree of tension in the work process of employees of all groups of flaw detectors in railway transport. The load is most pronounced among the decoding engineers of the flaw detection centers, which requires the organization of a monitoring system for their professional reliability, optimization of work and rest modes.
 Ethics. We have conducted the study in compliance with Ethical principles and the voluntary consent of the participants.