"News in Indian Express"
Bad health of railway drivers lead to train accidents
Similar Case?
Tr.No. 1019 at GUR Station
Central Railway
As many as 25 small or big train accidents that took place in the recent past were due to what the loco running staff in the Indian railways term as ‘micro-slipping effect’. This has been established by a study conducted in Germany and Japan.
Micro-slipping effect is a phenomenon in which the drivers of trains have a wink or some sort of a 'nap attack' for two second to 30 Seconds, due to lack of proper rest.
There had been a spurt of such cases wherein loco pilots happened to miss signals or apply brakes in time, thus leading to accidents. World famous Waterfall train Accident near Sidney (Australia) caused due to Micro-Sleep.
This, he said, clearly indicated the safety hazards in rail journeys stemming from loco pilot's health which the railway authorities have long been ignoring. "Owing to lack of proper rest and less number of sleeping hours, the drivers become more susceptible to causing accidents. Nearly 10 of such incidents have taken place in the South Eastern Railways.
"The erratic work hours are taking a toll on the health of loco pilots. A driver needs to rest properly so that he is vigilant when on duty. At least once in two nights he needs to have sleep at night as the day's sleep cannot provide the same kind of relief.
On the contrary, it has been found that most of the loco pilots drive long distances, sometimes without getting proper rest for consecutive nights.
"The railways are treating its loco pilots as machines. According to a survey conducted by Nagpur-based Labour Institute, health deterioration was found in up to 30 per cent of 300 loco pilots covered in the survey. This is a cause for concern for all, whether it's the loco pilots, the railway authorities or the passengers. Therefore, railways must do something in this regard.
PME Due Date
Master Circular No. 25
Copy of Railway Board’s letter No. 69/H/3/11 dated 06.12.1974
Subject: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Visual Sub-Committee.
6. Periodical re-examination of serving Railway Employees:
6.l. In order to ensure the continued ability of Railway employees in Classes A l, A 2, A 3, B l and B 2 to discharge their duties with safety, they will be required to appear for re-examination at the following stated intervals throughout their service as indicated below:
6.1.1. Classes A l, A 2 and A 3 —At the termination of every period of three years, calculated from the date of appointment until they attain the age of 45 years, and thereafter annually until the conclusion of their service.
Note: (l) The staff in categories A l, A 2 and A 3 should be sent for special medical examination in the interest of safety under the following circumstances unless they have been under the treatment of a Railway Medical Officer.
(a) Having undergone any treatment or operation for eye trouble irrespective of the duration of sickness.
(b) Absence from duty for a period in excess of 90 days.
(2) If any employee in medical category A has been periodically medically examined at any time within one year prior to his attaining the age of 45, his next medical examination should be held one year from the due date of the last medical examination and subsequent medical examination annually thereafter.
If, however, such an employee has been medically examined, at any time earlier, than one year prior to his attaining the age of 45, his next medical examination should be held on the date he attains the age of 45 and subsequent medical examination annually thereafter.
Ammendment: It was ammended in 1993 as below
Age Group PME Due
Age 00-45 every 4yrs
Age 45-55 every 2yrs
Age 55-60 every year
Details:-
As per Rly Bd's Guideline of Medical Exam issued vide LNo. 88/H/5/12 dated 24-01-1993
a) PME would be done at the termination of every period of 4 years from date of appointment / Initial medical Exam till the date of attainment of age of 45 years, every 2 years upto 55 years & there after annual till retirement.
b) Employees who has been periodically examined at any time within 2years prior to his attaining the age of 45years would be examined after 2years from the date of last PME & subsequent PME for every 2years upto 55years age.Of
NRMU 4 you
SMLokhande
6.1.2. Classes B-1 and B-2—On attaining the age of 45 years, and thereafter at the termination of every period of five years.
Micro Sleep the reason of train accident attributed to human failure on administrative account. I mean to say that micro sleep disease attacking on running staff's health due to the administrative lapses only such as non granting of PR, continuous night (Graveyard shift)working, not granting of leave, inadequate facilities at Running Room, lack of interest of enquiry committee's towards the route cause of accident & suggestion to prevent it. Enquiry committee's are interested only in fixing the responsibility upon the running staff based on the violation of outdated rules instead of going in deep.
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