The New NR Risk Management Standard for Managing Fatigue

Fatigue management has been an important talking point within the rail industry. Fatigue has been classed as a causal factor in a range of rail-based accidents in the UK. According to RSSB, 40% of rail accidents within the UK are due to fatigue. Network Rail have recently announced new plans for managing fatigue across the industry.

To change how fatigue is managed in the workplace Network Rail have updated Risk Management Standard (NR/L2/OHS/003). This new standard will be implemented across all areas of the Network Rail infrastructure affecting over 150,000 people across the industry.

What does this new Risk Management Standard mean?

Companies utilising Network Rail sites in any profession will need to follow the new Risk Management Standard. As part of this new standard there will be agreed group plans for teams of employees, allowing management to understand what could cause fatigue, what is already a contributing factor to fatigue levels in the workplace and how they can change processes to mitigate this.

How workforce management is approached will also need to change. As part of the new Network Rail Risk Management Standard, there are set ‘trigger points’. An example of a trigger point are long working days with over 12 hours including travel.

If a trigger point is met, the line manager will then be required sit with the employee and focus on developing an agreed fatigue management plan tailored to the individual. This plan will look at ways the employer can reduce the current risk of fatigue, whilst making sure that it is prevented in the future. This could be through reduced working hours or staggered shifts.

When do these changes come into force?

Network Rail has been staggering the implementation of the new Risk Management Standard with the compliance coming into full force in October 2022.

How can your organisation adapt to this change?

Fatigue360 is a complete fatigue risk management solution designed to help you prepare in advance for these changes.

Fatigue360 has been developed to enable planners and rosters to monitor fatigue within the workforce. The system has been developed with the rail industry in mind, taking into account a range of factors such as travel, rest periods outside of work and working hours. It is the all-in-one tool for companies looking for an effective solution to managing fatigue in the workplace or on site.

Fatigue360 is a robust software, offering flexibility and the ability to adapt to any changes in industry standards, ensuring you are always compliant with managing fatigue in the workplace.

If you are interested in finding out more about Fatigue360, please visit: https://bit.ly/2F9OC3k