ABSTRACT
The demand for a 24-hour operable rail network poses a crucial issue for the rail industry with respect to maintaining a workforce capable of providing a safe and effective service around the clock. As owner of the rail infrastructure across England, Scotland and Wales, Network Rail is challenged with not only managing and maintaining the infrastructure itself, but also ensuring the dedicated workforce charged with undertaking that work are able to perform their roles in an effective and optimum way. As with any 24-hour industry, fatigue is an issue for rail operations, particularly given the safety-critical nature of much of the work involved and the reliance on shift rostering as a means of organising working hours among staff. It is thus essential that companies such as Network Rail are aware of the risk fatigue can pose to employees, and have management systems in place.
