40731 Inadequate rest between shifts along the Windsor-Reading line

August 2009 in Train Operations

Fatigue Rostering Supervision and Management South West

Lack of rest between shifts for station staff working along the Windsor-Reading line is a concern for one reporter.  The station staff have been reported to be working late night shifts and then returning for early morning shifts the next day, without receiving adequate rest breaks between shifts.

The reporter believes that this could be verified through time and shift sheets. The reporter fears that this may generate high levels of fatigue and consequently affect their job performance.

Could South West Trains:

• remind staff that they should have a minimum of 11 hours rest between shifts as stated by the Working Time Directive 2003; and
• review time or shift sheets to ensure that staff are receiving this period of rest?

Response from South West Trains

South West Trains would like to thank the reporter for raising the issue of shift patterns and rest periods for station staff. The requirements for South West Trains employees are detailed within company policies and procedures and staff rosters are subject to fatigue index checks to ensure that they comply with industry and legislative requirements.

Management staff are remitted to ensure that staff rosters comply with these requirements and any rosters produced are monitored for compliance with working hours and rest criteria and any exceedences are required to be investigated, with suitable remedial action taken to prevent potential recurrences, in addition to any formal action that may be necessary, dependant upon the circumstances.

This process has identified instances where staff have been incorrectly rostered and/or had insufficient rest, where this has occurred the local systems have been reviewed for adequacy and amended as necessary. The working hours requirements are briefed to staff during initial training and are included in the information provided to staff as part of their briefing procedures, this information will be included in the next briefing for these staff groups.