Fatigue Matters

Fatigue and long hours of work is a major problem in the railway industry. We have argued long and hard for legislation to limit Drivers hours. Under the current political climate, ASLEF realises that we will have to achieve our goals by industrial, rather than political, means.

ASLEF has produced advice on shiftwork, lifestyle and health to assist both our elected Representatives and our Members in coping with shift work and the long hours culture in Britain's railways. ASLEF's policy, agreed at our Annual Assembly of Delegates (AAD) is contained in the "ASLEF Charter". We are working towards all of these policies to ensure the heath, safety and welfare of our Members. 

To read the ASLEF booklets please click on these links: Shift work, Lifestyle and Health and Rostering best practice

The 2006 AAD adopted a Heath and Safety Charter. This will include a limitation of drivers hours by negotiation of the following:

• Average 32hr, 4 day week
• Maximum working day of 9 hours 30 minutes,
• Maximum of between 8 and 9 hours when working night turns
• Minimum turn length of six hours of duty
• Free time off from duty to be rostered consecutively, to be guaranteed and mandatory by the elimination of institutionalised overtime.

The Office of Rail Regulation produced a report in July 2006 called 'Managing fatigue in safety critical work' which provides guidance in managing fatigue risks, to read the report click here. 

Fatigue Index Calculator - In July 2006 a CD-rom was sent to all ASLEF Local Level Reps. This contained a fatuge calculator and two documents from the Health and Safety Executive which highlight the issue of fatigue. The information on the CD-rom can also be found on the HSE website.

The Rail Safety and Standards Board produced a report on fatigue and shiftwork, and guidlines for the management and reduction of fatigue in train drivers. Information from driver surveys and accident risk based on Signals Passed At Danger (SPADs), together with reviews of the scientific literature, were used to produce draft guidelines for the management of shift patterns, fatigue countermeasures for drivers and suggested guidelines for fatigue monitoring. To read the report click here.

RSSB Human Factors advice on fatigue - This site gives advice from the RSSB, and includes a sleep quiz. RSSB Advice