The QSS Group Limited

Fatigue Management

Regulation 25 of the Railways and Other Guided Transports Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006, (ROGS) requires that:

"Every controller of safety critical work shall have in place arrangements to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that a safety critical worker under his management, supervision or control does not carry out safety critical work in circumstances where he is so fatigued or where he would be liable to become so fatigued that his health or safety or the health or safety of other persons on a transport system could be significantly affected."

In supporting industry to comply with this duty, the Health and Safety Executive have commissioned research into the development of a Fatigue Index for shift workers. This has culminated in a model being produced that generates such an index. The QSS Group Limited is very familiar with the construction and application of the new model, which is referred to as the "Fatigue/Risk Index." The model consists of two separate indices, one of which is related solely to fatigue, whereas the other is related to risk.

QSS is currently making recommendations and providing advice to a number of transport undertakings that are keen to develop their understanding of, and compliance with, this regulation. Indeed, QSS have a wealth of experience in the design, implementation and review of Safety Management Systems including the fatigue element; catering for many different types of client and contracting agent within the railway industry.

The approach developed by QSS in helping clients to manage fatigue is directly aimed at de-mystifying the 'black art' of fatigue management such that it becomes simplified into written guidelines for fatigue and risk index values.

The support offered by QSS, can be split into five main areas:

  • Understanding current rosters, work patterns, commuting time and intensities of shifts for staff undertaking different types of safety critical and safety related work,
  • Generate typical fatigue and risk index curves for each role’s roster pattern (based on duties within 'average intensity' shifts),
  • Understand the 'worst case' and 'best case' scenarios for each role and where peaks in fatigue and risk occur,
  • Develop bands of acceptability for fatigue and risk,
  • Consider sensitivity analysis, looking at different ways to secure a reduction in both peak figures and average levels of risk and fatigue.

To support this we can offer further assistance to:

  • Develop and publish a standard for the use of guideline fatigue figures.
  • Review the SMS in its entirety for instructions, briefing and HR Management arrangements for managing people who become fatigued whilst at work.
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