From Awareness to Action: Simplifying Fatigue Management in Rail Operations

Written By Garrett Chamberlain

The safe and productive operation of the UK rail industry is crucially linked to managing worker fatigue. Understanding the challenges and complexities presented by fatigue is essential for rail professionals. This paper delves into the latest updates to the Fatigue Risk Management Standard and introduces SymTerra, a cutting-edge solution designed to aid in this challenge. Through this piece, readers will gain insights into SymTerra's unique features and its alignment with industry standards.

Understanding the Fatigue Risk Management Standard

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) conducted a comprehensive review in 2018, prompting Network Rail to refine their Fatigue Risk Management Standard (NR/L2/OHS/003). This renewed standard emphasises the importance of every employee, from executives to on-site workers, to actively consider and address fatigue. Shift durations, on-site work hours, and commuting times now demand increased attention to ensure the health and safety of rail personnel.

The Evolution of Fatigue Risk Management Standard

The refined standard has embedded a culture where every employee, from executives to on-site workers, is urged to actively consider and mitigate fatigue during work hours. This practice includes considerations around shift duration, on-site work hours, and commuting times. The goal of these renewed guidelines is to foster proactive fatigue management, thereby contributing to the overall health and safety of the rail workforce.

"Fatigue is a significant risk to the safety of the rail industry. It can lead to errors, accidents, and injuries. It is important that all rail workers are aware of the risks of fatigue and take steps to mitigate them."

-- Office of Rail and Road (ORR)

 

SymTerra’s Solution

Looking to simplify fatigue management in rail? SymTerra offers innovative solutions tailored to this very need. Here's a closer look at the standout features of SymTerra and how they revolutionise the approach to fatigue management….

The SymTerra Approach: A Step Ahead

In response to the refined Fatigue Risk Management Standard, SymTerra offers a cutting-edge solution that promotes the active monitoring and management of worker fatigue. Our system simplifies the capture of crucial data related to work hours, travel durations, and shift schedules, eliminating the need for additional burdensome paperwork or processes.

Leveraging the Fatigue Risk Index guidelines outlined by the Health and Safety Executive, SymTerra's system automatically calculates and records the Fatigue Score and Risk Score for each worker in real-time. With our standardized reports and integrated dashboards, decision-makers are equipped with valuable data-driven insights, enabling consistent compliance and a well-managed workforce.

Upholding Compliance Standards

SymTerra aids companies in complying with the Network Rail Fatigue Risk Standard. By providing real-time visibility of fatigue data, it enables proactive fatigue management. Workers at risk of exceeding fatigue thresholds, as defined by the regulations, can be identified promptly.

Strategic Shift Planning

SymTerra's Shift Planning Tool helps avoid scheduling at-risk workers for future shifts, further enhancing fatigue management. We also offer centralized fatigue data storage, providing a complete and auditable trail of data, supporting compliance with the updated Network Rail and Health and Safety Executive regulations.

Planning with SymTerra

In our journey to redefine fatigue management, SymTerra introduces a distinct feature known as 'activities.' This unique attribute allows organisations to strategically plan and schedule their work, thereby creating a precise Schedule of Works. By allowing users to check in and out of their allocated activities, our system not only simplifies time tracking but also actively contributes to monitoring employee fatigue levels. In a sense, this intuitive feature bridges the gap between planning and execution, facilitating efficient fatigue management without unnecessary administrative burden.


Use of SmartNotes

SymTerra's SmartNotes revolutionise real-time communication and progress monitoring. This inbuilt feature offers the ability to capture immediate updates and share important documents with team members, streamlining information exchange and improving accessibility. With our 'Add Files' feature, relevant documents can be attached directly within SmartNotes and accessed by teams on the go via the app. Any changes or deviations from the planned schedule are swiftly recorded, alerting organisations to potential fatigue-related risks and enabling corrective action. By facilitating accurate tracking of real-world operations and enhancing information sharing, SmartNotes serve as a vital tool in preserving the health and safety of the workforce.


Fatigue Risk Index Monitoring

The heart of SymTerra's fatigue management solution lies in its capability to continuously monitor the Fatigue Risk Index (FRI) of its users. By comparing planned schedules against the actual work hours recorded in the system, SymTerra provides a robust tool for tracking fatigue risk. This approach to managing fatigue keeps organisations informed and proactive, aiding the early identification of potential issues and ensuring that workers' wellbeing remains a priority.



SymTerra's Form Builder

SymTerra's unique form builder feature allows organisations to create custom surveys or reports, gathering essential information about fatigue-related risks or incidents. This bespoke reporting capability serves as a vital tool for maintaining a feedback loop with employees, ensuring ongoing improvements in fatigue management strategies. The form builder is yet another way SymTerra enhances the proactive management of fatigue risk in the UK rail industry.

Customizable Dashboards

Complementing our comprehensive fatigue management solution, SymTerra offers powerful, data-driven dashboards. These interfaces not only display standard metrics but can also be customised to meet our clients' specific needs. This adaptability means every organisation can gain insights relevant to their unique operational context, enhancing decision-making and compliance efforts. Real-time visibility into fatigue data is brought to the forefront, enabling organisations to proactively manage fatigue risks. By integrating these custom dashboards into your everyday operations, you can effortlessly navigate the complex realm of fatigue risk management, keeping worker safety and productivity at the forefront of your organisation's agenda.

Integrated Communication and Data Access

SymTerra isn't just a fatigue management solution; it's a comprehensive platform that integrates communication and data access. By providing teams with real-time and historical data, SymTerra helps inform decision-making, guides future work plans, and enhances overall fatigue management. This integrated data-centric approach allows organisations to learn from past trends and patterns, ensuring continuous improvement in their fatigue risk management strategies.

Centralized Data and Record Keeping

SymTerra revolutionises data management in the rail industry by providing a single source of truth for all project-related information. Our easy-to-use system offers seamless evidencing, record keeping, data sharing, and storage, effectively putting the entire project site in your pocket. This level of data accessibility ensures informed and timely decision-making, contributing significantly to effective fatigue management.

Conclusion

At SymTerra, we are committed to facilitating safer and more efficient railway operations. By offering a comprehensive solution to the challenges posed by fatigue management regulations, we are your trusted partner in creating a healthier, more productive railway industry. Reach out to us to learn how SymTerra can support your organization in navigating the complex realm of fatigue risk management in the UK rail industry.

Ready to see SymTerra in action and discover its transformative impact on fatigue management? Book a demo with our experts today and embark on the journey to a safer, more productive railway operation.

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Garrett Chamberlain
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