Safety
Previously drivers spent considerable time away from work without help and assistance. ‘Staff also appreciate the availability
of specialist care which reinforces Virgin Trains’ reputation as an employer that values its staff and wants to provide access to the very best support. We also know from feedback we have received that employees are far more comfortable talking to a specialist third party, rather than a member of staff, or a general counsellor. ‘As part of our recruitment process
and during the induction briefing for new drivers, we now emphasise the availability of specialist trauma care provision as a major benefit of their employment.’
Employer attitudes changing While staff experiencing traumatic reactions to incidents is nothing new, the manner in which employers react has changed significantly, and not just in the rail industry, where attitudes to trauma care have tended to be more proactive than in many other sectors. Anna Chapman said: ‘Historically
trauma and psychological problems following major incidents were often swept under the carpet, with those affected told to simply pull themselves
together and get on with it. Staff would have felt embarrassed raising it as an issue, which meant dealing with it on their own. ‘Now there is far more evidence of the
traumatic effects of major incidents, as well as the benefits to the individual and the company of providing perfectly timed and clinically appropriate trauma care. ‘There used to be many preconceptions
concerning who would be affected. People may make the mistake of thinking that men are ‘tough and will cope’, women are ‘more emotional’ and managers will cope ‘because they are managers’. Experience has shown that this is simply not the case.’ Another aspect within the overall
provision of effective trauma care is the role of the person/s first at the scene, known as ‘defusers’. How they behave and the care they provide in the immediate aftermath is pivotal to the longer-term recovery process. Virgin Trains has acknowledged the role of the ‘defuser’ by commissioning dedicated training through CCP. Colin Barratt said: ‘We have already
conducted a set of training courses which staff have responded to very positively and we are looking at rolling this out as part of a management training programme. The issue with any incident is that it is impossible to predict and can happen
anywhere at any time, drawing in people going about their daily routines. We are committed to knowing that when called upon they will have had the necessary training and be fully prepared to respond in the best possible way.’ Anna Chapman concluded: ‘An appropriate trauma care strategy needs to be at the forefront of any health and safety policy within the rail industry. Not only will it protect the psychological welfare of those directly affected, it safeguards the brand’s reputation, adds value to the business and shows a direct return on investment.’ •
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www.morrisline.co.uk November 2013 Page 57 7/3/13 14:38:19
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