Rail staff fatigue – the GB regulator’s perspective on managing the risks

Abstract

SUMMARY Managing staff fatigue remains a difficult issue for organisations worldwide, especially in high hazard sectors where a fatigue-related error can have disastrous consequences. Employers must balance safety and efficiency, whilst staff and unions seek their own balance of working time, time off, pay and linked issues. This paper outlines the approach to managing rail staff fatigue advocated in revised guidance from Britain’s safety and economic railway regulator. Some key elements of a holistic “Fatigue Risk Management System” approach are outlined. The use of a checklist to assess existing fatigue controls is described, considering in turn the elements of: Policy; Organising; Planning & implementing; Monitoring; Auditing and Reviewing. Fatigue tools are briefly outlined, emphasising their limitations. “Triangulating” the position on fatigue helps companies assess likely fatigue risks by combining elements from published good practice guidelines, a fatigue tool, and information about how fatiguing staff find their working patterns in reality. The central importance of an open, trusting, “just” culture is emphasised, advocating collaboration between employer, staff and unions on controlling fatigue risks. Although there are is no “magic wand” for resolving fatigue issues, the paper illustrates one suggested approach to identifying and reducing risks from fatigue, to evolve working patterns and fatigue controls over the medium to longer term.