Business profile
As the world’s largest health and safety membership organisation, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is the voice of the profession, campaigning on issues that affect millions of working people
I
OSH is also a chartered body, aiming to raise standards and regulate the sector. Its work includes developing and promoting a code of conduct, as well as progressing and accrediting safety training courses. In addition, IOSH is the first European safety association to be awarded non-governmental organisation status by the International Labour Organisation. As a thought leader, IOSH drives the occupational health and safety profession forward with a plethora of major events, including the annual IOSH rail industry conference. This year, ground-breaking schemes to manage fatigue in the railway industry will be celebrated on November 28 at the Congress Centre in London’s West End. It follows a call for companies to enter their projects in the IOSH Railway Group Award 2013 for Fatigue Management. Now in its second year, the prize aims to raise the profile of occupational health issues in the sector. The accolade singles out individuals, teams and companies that develop successful initiatives to tackle fatigue, reducing the risk of dangerous errors and protecting the safety of those travelling and working on the UK rail network.
IOSH Railway Group chair Martin
Leeks said: ‘Fatigue can cause injuries and deaths to workers and passengers on our railways. It hampers mental alertness
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is the chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 42,000 members in 100 countries, it is the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation. We set standards, and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people. IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.
and affects performance, causing errors because of reduced concentration, perception, judgement and even memory. Ultimately, it can lead to drowsiness and involuntary sleeping, which may cause accidents.’ Fatigue management involves
developing and implementing policies, designing shift rosters, carrying out risk assessments, monitoring levels of mental and physical tiredness and educating on shift work.
Clapham rail crash legacy In 1988, 35 people died and 500 were injured in a crash involving three trains during rush hour at Clapham Junction. In the wake of this, in 1989, Anthony Hidden QC completed an investigation into the accident, and fatigue was named as one of the underlying causes. As a result, limits on working hours were introduced to the rail industry. Fatigue is now governed by the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006 (ROGS) and the Working Time Directive, 2003/88/ EC, among other laws. More recently, smaller-scale accidents
have been caused by fatigue. But increasingly, RSSB statistics show that people are phoning in sick with fatigue- related health problems. Leeks added: ‘The issue of fatigue has been bubbling under the surface for a
while, so it’s vital our rail industry deals with it now. We need another culture change, where long working hours are seen as a hazard to our employees, companies and passengers on the network. We absolutely shouldn’t be waiting until the situation is so bad that we risk another Clapham Junction disaster. ‘By shouting about good examples of fatigue management, promoting good practice and helping companies meet modern guidelines, we hope underperforming companies will put their own schemes in place,’ he added.
Airline-style regulations IOSH wants to see the rail industry follow airline companies’ example, where pilots’ hours have been reduced in favour of ensuring they are fit for work. ‘Regulations are there for a reason – we don’t just want rail companies to pay lip service to them. Any which are subjecting staff to too many working hours are not only breaking the law, but risking the health and safety of those employees, their passengers, as well as their bottom lines,’ Leeks concluded. IOSH is keen to encourage the next generation of health and safety professionals to come forward, so if you’re considering a career in this rewarding field, why not find out more?
Visit
www.iosh.co.uk Tel 0116 257 3100
• October 2013 Page 115
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