Southern Railway has banned loco pilots, guards (train managers) and other running staff members from consuming medicines, including antihistamines, muscle relaxants, antidepressants and cough syrups, which could trigger drowsiness.
The decision follows a report submitted by a committee of experts, which gave a list of tablets/syrups that should not be administered to the crew members as their sedative effects could impair their cognitive and motor functions, and affect safety of train operations.
Loco pilots and other running staff members have been advised not to self medicate by taking over-the-counter tablets/syrups as they could lead to work safety hazards.
Acting on the directions of the Principal Chief Medical Director, the committee comprising medical officers of the Indian Railway Health Services gave a comprehensive list of medicines that should not be given to the crew. Sources in the Southern Railway said that the order, issued last week, came in the backdrop of an increasing number of human errors leading to train accidents — especially derailments caused by trains passing the signal at danger. Loco pilots have also been complaining of fatigue caused by irregular sleep and long working hours. A senior railway official said the Ministry of Railways had sought a report from all zones on the various types of lifestyle diseases and job-related ailments, such as diabetes and hypertension, among loco pilots and guards. The data compiled included those of the medicines taken by them while on or before joining duty, and their impact on safety of train operations.
The All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) conducted several demonstrations, demanding implementation of the Ministry of Labour and Karnataka High Court orders that made them entitled to headquarters rest and periodical rest four times a month. In an unprecedented move in June last year, the Southern Railway suspended 29 loco pilots for availing themselves of 46-hour rest (16 hour headquarters rest and 24 hours weekly off) on return from an outstation trip. The suspensions were revoked later.
AILRSA central organising secretary V. Balachandran said loco pilots were more prone to lifestyle diseases owing to their harsh working conditions. Many suffered from fatigue due to poor quality of sleep, caused by prolonged working hours or irregular duty shifts. In the interest of safety, the railways should conduct a study on the impact on the health of loco pilots who were deprived of quality night sleep for several years.
“Without analysing preventive measures, imposing restrictions will only aggravate stress among the running staff,” he added.
