ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the process by which Network Rail's Baseline Ergonomics Assessment programme was developed, piloted, implemented and reviewed for compliance. It discusses the measures developed to assess and compare ergonomics performance in signal boxes. The chapter reviews the problems encountered in developing a non intrusive assessment method and in assessing signal boxes over a wide geographic area. The chapter presents deliverables from the Baseline Ergonomics Assessment programme and discusses how these deliverables were communicated to Network Rail's operating Regions and developed into action plans for signal box upgrade. Network Rail operates over 1,000 signalling control facilities across the UK rail network. To date, the programme has been used to assess 292 signal box panels/integrated electrical control centre work stations in 135 signal control facilities across the UK rail network. One hundred and fifty two questions were developed to assess the ergonomics variables, and ultimately the ergonomics performance of each panel/workstation.
