A qualitative study investigating fatigue among Indonesian freight-train drivers

Abstract

Fatigue among Indonesian coal freight train drivers is a risk factor that has never been investigated. This study evaluated fatigue among these train drivers and sought to determine work- and non work-related factors contributing to fatigue. The objectives were achieved by conducting a field observation and semi-structured interviews (SSI) with 21 freight train drivers. Using a thematic analysis, four groups of factors (themes) were identified: 1) work demand, 2) management support, 3) quality of work and rest facilities, and 4) organizational issues. Findings of this study demonstrated that fatigue among the drivers was unnecessarily excessive. Several important causes of fatigue included extended period of duty duration (exceeding company policy), adverse working physical environment, and the difficulty in obtaining good quality of rest, particularly at the destination (transit) station. Rest period between shifts was deemed inadequate, and back-to-back duties (separated with less than 8 h of rest) were often unavoidable. Satisfactory personnel scheduling and assignments were challenging, due to the complex nature of the external coal company operating environment, in addition to the freight train lowest track priority that resulted in services backlogs, delays, and frequent stops along the routes. While further studies were needed, short-term interventions could be done, including more ergonomic locomotive cabin and improving rest facilities at the transit station. Long-term initiatives might include better coordination and communication with the coal company, especially in developing more accurate departure and arrival estimates and train timetables.