Drivers of Luas 'run the risk of fatigue'
Tuesday October 20 2009
DRIVERS operating Dublin's Luas light rail system need to have their shifts "critically examined" and altered to avoid unnecessary fatigue, a report has recommended.
But the firm operating the Luas, Veolia, has said it will not make changes until December when an extension to the Dublin docklands is completed.
An independent report commissioned by Veolia and the trade union SIPTU warns the rostering system and work practices need to change to comply with best international practice. Carried out by Eugene Kearney from SIPTU and Tom McGuinness from MKP, a human resources consultancy, it said the existing system has resulted in tram drivers suffering from unnecessary fatigue because of how their working days are rostered.
The report, 'Independent Review of Appropriateness of the Maximum Drive Time of Luas Drivers' was published in September. It was commissioned because Veolia and SIPTU could not agree on the number of hours drivers should work before taking a break.
The report found that drivers had complained about fatigue and warned of the potential for accidents. Luas drivers currently work a 40-hour week and drive for four hours and 15 minutes before taking a break.
SIPTU wants the maximum time before a break to be three and a half hours, while the company has offered three hours and 45 minutes. The report says the company's proposal would be "best" practice. Drivers had warned since 2004 about fatigue, but the report also notes that drivers in other tram systems work longer hours. For example, drivers on the Nottingham Tram Consortium work four and a half hours before taking a break.
"The key issues raised by the drivers and union committee included length of drive time, length of shift, erratic shift pattern, working late into the rest day / weekend off and starting again with an early shift and length of breaks particularly at peak time," the report says.
Accidents
"Fatigue and consequent risk of accidents were stated by the drivers to be potential outcomes of the current arrangements. Shift start times are dictated by the timetable, are seldom repeated and often are not progressive. This means that an early shift may be followed by a shift which is later and which in turn may be followed by an earlier shift.
"It would be our conclusion that the current rostering methodology produces results which could cause unnecessary fatigue and need to be critically examined."
"There's an absolute requirement to be fit for duty, and we're working continuously to improve," Veolia managing director Brian Brennan said.
Fine Gael Seanad transport spokesman Paschal Donohoe said he was "very concerned" at the report. He said: "We need to ensure that the Luas is as safe as possible, and that actions are being taken by staff and management to ensure passenger safety."
- Paul Melia
Irish Independent
