Safety Matters - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW

RTBU OHS Fact Sheet 7:
Fatigue Management
Guidelines relating to the management
of fatigue
SECTION FOUR
Safety Matters A Guide for Workplace OHS Representatives
Fatigue has been recognised as a hazard in the transportation industry for
many years. Much research has gone into examining how operators can
manage fatigue. A number of factors have been identified as contributors to
the condition. But the management of fatigue is not an exact science and the
impact of fatigue factors will vary from person to person. The Guidelines have
been drafted with this in mind. Operators fully complying with the OH&S
legislation would already be taking steps to manage workplace fatigue, but
the Rail Safety Act 2002 (‘the Act’) imposes additional requirements because
of the potential impacts fatigue could have on passengers and members of the
public.
Penalties Section 43 and Schedule 2 of the Act accordingly impose a substantial
duty on operators to manage workplace fatigue. Substantial penalties apply
for those not complying with the provisions of the Act or the Guidelines, up
to $28,000 for a corporation and $5,500 for individuals, as well as penalties
under an operator’s accreditation.
Statements of principle
Operators and railway employees must have a flexible approach in developing
and managing programs that will:
(a) Take ongoing advantage of new developments in research and technology,
(b) Consider the needs of railway employees,
(c) Consider the needs of operators,
(d) Be implemented over a wide range of operating conditions.
TRAM AND BUS
OHS Factsheets
62
RAIL
BACK TO CONTENTS
U N
I O N