Human Factors

Housekeeping• Toilets

• Evacuation

• Breaks

• Cell phones

• Park It Chart

• Expectations

• Enjoy!

Aim

To reduce rail safety occurrences attributable to human error

Prevent harm to rail employees and passengers

Increase public confidence in rail transport systems

Origin - Tenerife

Most accidents are caused by the inability of

crews to respond appropriately to the situation

in which they find themselves.

Experiential LearningIndividual reflection on past behaviour in a given organisational situation

Gain sufficient insight to form a rational basis for more effective behaviour in the future

Shared learning

Purpose

Crew Resource ManagementKnowledgeSkillsAttitude

Self managementOptimal use of available resources – equipment, procedures and people

Right

Elements Communication FatigueLeadershipNutritionTeamwork Defensive DrivingAdaptability Cab EnvironmentDecision makingSituational awarenessShift work Sleep

Assumptions, incorrect information and misunderstandings Remain focused on the messageClear, brief and unmistakableRelevant Agree on action to be taken Repeat message to confirm understandingWhere practical write it downDon’t be afraid to ask

Ability to direct and coordinate Work as a teamLead by exampleDecisiveDelegate tasksProvide feedbackKeep crew informedOpen to suggestionsNot afraid to question and be questioned

Leadership

TogetherEveryoneAchievesMore

Good communicationGood situational awareness

Good understanding of individual role and responsibility

Teamwork

It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters

(Epictetus)

Adaptability

Ability to alter course of action when new information becomes availablePrioritise, and Delegate tasks

Using logical and sound judgement to make decisions based on available informationSituation assessmentInformation verificationSolution identification / Problem solvingAnticipate consequences of decisionsInform others of decisions and rationaleDecision evaluation

Decision Making

Conscious recognition of all the factors and conditions – operational, technical and humanHazards:FatigueBoredomTask familiarityTask fixation

Have a clear and up to date understanding of your immediate environment and what may happen next

Share knowledge and information with team membersCorrect interpretation of information

Base decisions on this shared understanding of the situation

Situational Awareness

Reduced restorative value of sleep

++++++++

Alteration of circadian rhythm

Shift Work

Impacts on personal and social life

Mainly a restorative process for brain functionMost people need an average of 8 hoursSleep debtAmount and structure changes with ageSleep apnoea – loud snoring, restless sleep and daytime sleepinessAttention capacity deficit Generally we are poor at estimating our levels of sleepinessReduced information processing Decremented vigilance and performanceWhat about radio, coffee etc????

Sleep

The 3 – 5 dip

Get comfortableCorrect room temperature (18O – 20O )Pre sleep routine – gentle exercise, hobby, music, mental and physical relaxation techniquesNoiseOptimum darknessRole of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol Eat only a light snack or small drink before sleepProtect your sleep time

Sleep improvement

Fatigue Progressive loss of mental and physical alertness

Causes:

Irregular sleep times

Mental stress/workload

Effects:

Concentration lapses / Alertness loss

Reduces short term memory

Erodes the safety margin

Impairs cognition

Reduces hand-eye co-ordination

Incorrect reading of equipment

Missing the reference point

Degraded memory, decision making and perception

Yawning , easily distracted, micro sleep

Miscalculations of speed and distance, disorientated

Quality sleepRegular exercise Nutrition and hydrationLower cab windows to increase ventilationIf stationary - stand up and stretchRisk Triggered Commentary

Beat fatigue

Irregular meal timesReactive slump – 90 minutes after big meals

Tips: Formulate a routine

Avoid heavy meals before bedtimeSnacking on low GI foods – fresh fruit and vegies,

nuts, low fat dairy products, wholegrain bread, legumes, etc.

Hydration

Health & Nutrition

Consult

Colleagues Team LeadersTraining TeamAction committees EAP

Safe High Performance

Feel professionalAbility to work alone and make decisionsAnticipation – think aheadRecognition and responseReturning from leaveChanged conditions (environment / instructions)Could that happen to me?What could I have done to prevent it?Do I need to alter my driving style?

Defensive Driving

Defensive Driving Cont…..Hazards and Risks:GradientsSignal recognition, positioning and sightingSeasonal changes – sun strike, autumnal foliage, icy conditionsLow adhesion Known trespass areasExtreme weather Area of activity – worksites, depots, yards, special operating instructionsOperating with system failuresChange oversTechniques:Signal alertActive responseVisualise stopping markIf possible leave FS as reserveProgressive braking “20/200 principle”What’s your safe practice?Risk Triggered Commentary

“DON’T CHASE SIGNALS AS THEY WILL CATCH YOU FIRST”

Cab Environment