Fatigue

The UTU has made available to its members two on-line presentations concerning fatigue and its effect on transportation employees and others. These presentations were offered at a recent regional meeting in a workshop entitled Asleep at the Switch, which included panel discussions and questions and answers to help members and their families understand fatigue. It is the number-one danger facing transportation workers today.

• Introduction to Fatigue Workshops

The UTU is also a partner in NARAP, the North American Rail Alertness Partnership. NARAP is a group of concerned railroaders, regulators and researchers who are committed to addressing the problem of human fatigue in our industry. The group meets quarterly to share ideas, learn about current scientific developments and provide input to researchers. For more information about NARAP, visit the group's website at www.narap.org.

Debbie Hersman, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board and someone who has a detailed knowledge of the railroad industry, understands the need for adequate rest for transportation employees. In this article from Railway Age magazine, find out more about Hersman and her positions regarding the railroad industry.

In a related matter, a labor-management joint task force comprised of the UTU, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and Class I railroads, have agreed, in writing, that an employee with a treatable sleep disorder who is receiving proper treatment and is otherwise complying with the safety and operating requirements of the job, should have no fear that he or she would become disqualified from work. For more information on this topic, read A sleep disorder does not mean disqualification on this website.

The Los Angeles Times has conducted its own investigation into fatigue in the rail industry. Read Fatigue killing railroad crews from the April 24, 2005, issue of the newspaper.